Systems, apparatus and methods for engaging a cap releasably secured in a container

ABSTRACT

Apparatus for engaging a cap releasably secured in a container includes a carrier that is selectively movable up and down relative to the container and carries a cap engagement tool and a centering collar. At least one among the cap engagement tool and centering collar is biased downwardly by at least two spaced-part biasing members during operations.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation application of and claimspriority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/073,328 filed on Oct.17, 2020 and entitled “Apparatus for Installing a Bung Plug in and/orExtracting a Bung Plug from a Container”, which issued as U.S. Pat. No.11,136,150 on Oct. 5, 2021 and is a continuation application of andclaims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/190,647 filed onNov. 14, 2018, entitled “Apparatus, Systems & Methods for Manipulating aDrum or other Container” and issued on Oct. 20, 2020 as U.S. Pat. No.10,807,744, which are hereby incorporated by reference herein in theirentireties.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates generally to apparatus, systems andmethods for manipulating containers and, in some embodiments, forremoving a bung plug from and installing a bung plug into a container.

BACKGROUND

In various industries, containers (such as 55 gallon drums) are commonlyused to store, transport and dispense materials and fluids. During thelife of many such containers, after the containers have been initiallyfilled or used, they are often refilled and reused many times. Othercontainer processing activities may involve testing, cleaning,maintenance, retrofitting, etc. Automated or partially-automated systemsand techniques have been developed for performing such containerprocessing (“manipulation”) activities, which often include the removaland/or installation of the “bung plug” (or other closure) of thecontainer.

Presently known systems and techniques for manipulating containers arebelieved to have one or more disadvantages. For example, many knownsystems and techniques that require rotation of the container to movethe container fill-hole to a desired position are ill-equipped toautomatically, effectively and efficiently rotate the container, stopthe container's rotation at a desired time, accurately position the fillhole or a combination thereof. For another example, many systems andtechniques that involve removal and/or replacement of the bung plug areunable to effectively engage their bung plug extractor and/or installerwith the container for extraction or installation when the container isnot perfectly aligned therewith or has moved out of alignment. For yetanother example, many known systems and techniques involving thereplacement of threadably engaged bung plugs to various types ofcontainers lack the ability to automatically, effectively, properly orefficiently thread the bung plugs or avoid frequent cross-threading. Forstill a further example, many such systems and techniques are notequipped to automatically, effectively, accurately or efficientlymeasure and/or report whether or not the bung plug has been properlyinstalled in the container (e.g. whether an unacceptable or excessiveamount of torque was applied to the installed bung plug or othervariables), such as for Six Sigma, DOT or other requirements orcertifications. With many known systems and techniques, it is believedto be difficult or impossible to perform one or more of the aboveoperations (e.g. automatic, proper or effective container rotation,fill-hole positioning, bung plug extraction, bung plug installation,bung plug threading, measurement and reporting of bung plug installationvariables) on a continuous supply of containers without frequentinterruption, or with minimal or no human involvement. For still anotherexample, various know systems and techniques are not equipped toautomatically remove and install the same bung plug for each respectivecontainer. Further disadvantages are believed to exist with respect tovarious known systems or devices used for manipulating containers.

It should be understood that the above-described examples,disadvantages, features and capabilities are provided for illustrativepurposes only and are not intended to limit the scope or subject matterof this disclosure or the appended claims. Thus, none of the appendedclaims or claims of any patent or patent application related heretoshould be limited by the above discussion or construed to address,include or exclude each or any of the above-cited examples,disadvantages, features and capabilities merely because of the mentionthereof in this patent.

Accordingly, there exists a need for improved systems, articles andmethods useful for manipulating containers having one or more of theattributes or capabilities described or shown in, or as may be apparentfrom, the various parts of this patent.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

In some embodiment, the present disclosure involves apparatus forextracting a bung plug from and installing a bung plug into a container,the container having a bung opening formed in and facing upwardly froman upper surface thereof, the bung opening configured to contain thebung plug therein. A carrier is selectively movable up and down relativeto the container. A bung plug engagement tool carried by the carrierincludes at least one shaft having upper and lower ends and a bung plugwrench disposed at or proximate to the lower end of the at least oneshaft. At least one vacuum source is associated with the bung plugengagement tool, whereby a vacuum may be selectively provided proximateto the bung plug wrench to retain the bung plug after it is extractedfrom the drum. A centering collar is carried by the carrier and at leastpartially encapsulates the bung plug wrench. The bung plug wrench andcentering collar are both biased downwardly relative to the carrier andcontainer and the bung plug wrench is additionally biased downwardlyrelative to the centering collar, carrier and container during use ofthe apparatus.

If desired, the vacuum source may include at least one air compressor,vacuum generator or vacuum pump or a combination thereof. The vacuumsource may be releasably fluidly coupled to the bung plug engagementtool. The centering collar may engage the container during bung pluginstallation and extraction.

At least two spaced-apart outer springs may be positioned radiallyoutwardly of the shaft(s) of the bung plug engagement tool,respectively, to provide downward biasing forces upon the centeringcollar and bung plug wrench relative to the carrier and container. Thecontainer may have a vertical axis that extends through the center ofthe bung opening and the carrier may have a vertical axis. The centeringcollar may engage the container during bung plug installation andextraction and the outer springs may allow the centering collar and bungplug wrench to concurrently tilt in any direction around 360° relativeto the vertical axis of the carrier and automatically align in thevertical axis of the container during bung plug installation andextraction.

At least two spaced-apart inner springs, separate and distinct from theouter springs, may also be positioned radially outwardly of the at leastone shaft, respectively, and which provide downward biasing forces uponthe bung plug wrench relative to the centering collar, carrier andcontainer. The downward biasing forces of each outer spring may begreater than the downward biasing forces of each inner spring to retainthe centering collar engaged with the container as desired during bungplug installation and extraction even if the bung plug wrench is pushedup. The inner springs may be configured to provide downward biasingforces on the bung plug wrench relative to the carrier, centering collarand container to assist in maintaining engagement of the bung plugwrench with the bung plug and container as desired during bung pluginstallation and extraction.

In some embodiments, a method of extracting a bung plug from andinstalling a bung plug in a container is provided. The container has abung opening formed in and facing upwardly from an upper surface thereofand the bung opening is configured to contain the bung plug therein. Acarrier of the apparatus is selectively moved downwardly relative to thecontainer and over the bung opening and bung plug contained therein. Acentering collar carried by the carrier is downwardly biased intocontact with the upper surface of the container around the bung openingand a bung plug wrench carried by the carrier is downwardly biased intocontact with the bung plug. The bung plug wrench is separatelydownwardly biased to ensure it stays in contact with the bung plugregardless of the position of the centering collar. At least one vacuumis associated with the bung plug wrench to retain the bung plug incontact with the bung plug wrench. The carrier bung plug carried therebyare selectively moved away from the container. The carrier isselectively moved downwardly relative to the container and over the bungopening. The centering collar is downwardly biased into contact with theupper surface of the container around the bung opening and the bung plugwrench is downwardly biased over the bung opening. The bung plug wrenchaligns the bung plug with the bung opening. The vacuum associated withthe bung plug wrench is released and the bung plug wrench engages thebung plug with the bung opening.

In various embodiments, the present disclosure involves apparatus forextracting a bung plug from and installing a bung plug into a containerhaving a bung opening formed in and facing upwardly from at least onesurface thereof. The bung opening is configured to contain the bung plugtherein. The apparatus includes a carrier selectively movable up anddown relative to the container. A bung plug engagement tool is carriedby the carrier and includes at least one shaft a bung plug wrenchdisposed at or proximate to the lower end thereof. A centering collar isalso carried by the carrier. During use of the apparatus, the bung plugwrench and centering collar are both biased downwardly relative to thecarrier and container and the bung plug wrench is additionally biaseddownwardly relative to the centering collar, carrier and container. Atleast two spaced-apart outer springs are positioned radially outwardlyof the shaft(s) of the bung plug engagement tool, respectively, andprovide downward biasing forces upon the centering collar and bung plugwrench relative to the carrier and container.

The container may have a vertical axis that extends through the centerof the bung opening and the carrier may have a vertical axis. Duringbung plug installation and extraction, the centering collar may engagethe container and the outer springs may allow the centering collar andbung plug wrench to concurrently tilt in any direction around 360°relative to the vertical axis of the carrier and automatically align inthe vertical axis of the container.

In many embodiments, the present disclosure involves apparatus forextracting a bung plug from and installing a bung plug into a container.The container has a bung opening formed in at least one surface thereofand which is configured to contain the bung plug therein. The apparatusincludes a carrier selectively movable up and down relative to thecontainer. A bung plug engagement tool is carried by the carrier andincludes at least one shaft and a bung plug wrench disposed at orproximate to the lower end thereof. A centering collar is carried by thecarrier. Both the bung plug wrench and centering collar are biaseddownwardly relative to the carrier and container during use of theapparatus. The bung plug wrench is additionally biased downwardlyrelative to the centering collar, carrier and container. At least twospaced-apart inner springs provide downward biasing forces upon the bungplug wrench relative to the centering collar, carrier and container. Ifdesired, the inner springs may be are configured to assist inmaintaining engagement of the bung plug wrench with the bung plug asdesired during bung plug installation and extraction.

Certain embodiments involve methods of engaging a bung plugextractor/installer with a bung plug that is releasably secured to acontainer. The container includes a bung opening formed in and facingupwardly from at least one surface thereof and which is configured tocontain the bung plug therein. The method includes selectively moving acarrier of the bung plug extractor/installer over the bung opening andbung plug contained therein. The carrier carries a centering collar andbung plug engagement tool, the bung plug engagement tool including atleast one shaft and at least one bung plug wrench. At least first andsecond spaced-apart springs are positioned radially outwardly of atleast one shaft of the bung plug engagement tool and assist in biasingthe centering collar downwardly into contact with at least one surfaceof the container around the bung opening and biasing at least one bungplug wrench downwardly into contact with the bung plug. At least thirdand fourth spaced-apart springs separately downwardly bias the bung plugwrench relative to the centering collar, carrier and container.

If desired, these methods may include actuating the bung plug wrench todisconnect the bung plug from the container. Suction pressure may beprovided in at least one passageway formed in at least part of theshaft(s) of the bung plug engagement tool to retain the bung plug incontact with the bung plug wrench. The carrier and bung plug carriedthereby may be selectively moved away from and/or over the bung openingof the container. A centering assembly carried by the carrier may alignthe bung plug with the bung opening. The centering collar may be biasedinto contact with at least one surface of the container around the bungopening and the bung plug may be biased onto the bung opening. Suctionpressure in the at least one passageway may be released and the bungplug secured in the bung opening.

There are embodiments of the present disclosure that involves apparatusfor extracting a cap from a fill hole of a container with the use of atleast one vacuum source that provides suction pressure. The fill hole isformed in at least one surface of the container. The apparatus includesa carrier selectively movable up and down relative to the container. Acap engagement tool is carried by the carrier and selectively at leastpartially engageable with the cap. When the cap engagement tool engagesthe cap, at least one space is formed between at least part of the capengagement tool and the cap. A centering collar is carried by thecarrier and positioned at least partially radially outwardly of at leastpart of the cap engagement tool. A first plurality of spaced-apartbiasing members is positioned radially outwardly of at least part of thecap engagement tool and provides downward biasing forces upon thecentering collar and at least part of the cap engagement tool relativeto the carrier and container. At least one passageway fluidly couplesone or more of the spaces and vacuum source and allows suction pressureto be selectively provided to the space(s) to retain the cap with thecap engagement tool after the cap is extracted from the container.

If desired, the cap engagement tool may include at least one shaft and acap extraction wrench disposed at or proximate to the lower end thereofand the fluid passageway(s) may extend at least partially through theshaft(s) and cap extraction wrench. A second plurality of spaced-apartbiasing members, separate and distinct from the first plurality ofspaced-apart biasing members, may be provided to provide downwardbiasing forces upon at least part of the cap engagement tool relative tothe centering collar, carrier and container. The first and/or secondpluralities of spaced-apart biasing members may include threespaced-apart biasing members. If desired, each biasing member mayinclude at least one among at least one coil spring, resilient member,non-resilient member, swivel and bearing.

The present disclosure also includes embodiments of apparatus forextracting a cap from a fill hole of a container with the use of atleast one vacuum source that provides suction pressure. The fill hole isformed in at least one surface of the container. The apparatus includesa carrier selectively movable up and down relative to the container. Acap engagement tool is carried by the carrier and selectively at leastpartially engageable with the cap. When the cap engagement tool engagesthe cap, at least one space is formed between at least part of the capengagement tool and the cap. A centering collar is carried by thecarrier and positioned at least partially radially outwardly of at leastpart of the cap engagement tool. A first plurality of spaced-apartbiasing members provides downward biasing forces upon at least part ofthe cap engagement tool relative to the centering collar, carrier andcontainer. At least one passageway fluidly couples one or more of thespaces and vacuum source and allows suction pressure to be selectivelyprovided to the space(s) to retain the cap with the cap engagement toolafter the cap is extracted from the container.

If desired, a second plurality of spaced-apart biasing members which areseparate and distinct from the first plurality of spaced-apart biasingmembers may provide downward biasing forces upon the centering collarrelative to the carrier and container. The downward biasing forces ofeach of the second plurality of biasing members may be greater than thedownward biasing forces of each of the first plurality of biasingmembers. If desired, each biasing member may include at least one amongat least one coil spring, resilient member, non-resilient member, swiveland bearing.

If desired, at least two spaced-apart inner springs, separate anddistinct from the outer springs, may also be positioned radiallyoutwardly of the shaft(s) and provide downward biasing forces upon thebung plug wrench relative to the centering collar, carrier andcontainer. The centering collar may engage at least one surface of thecontainer during bung plug installation and extraction and the downwardbiasing forces of each outer spring may be greater than the downwardbiasing forces of each inner spring. The springs may take the form ofresilient members, elastic members, coil springs, swivel joint,bearings, non-resilient members or any other form.

In some embodiments, the present disclosure involves apparatus forinstalling a removable bung plug in and/or extracting a removable bungplug from a container positioned below the apparatus. The container hasa bung opening formed in and facing upwardly from an upper surfacethereof. The bung opening is configured to contain the bung plugtherein. The apparatus includes a carrier selectively movable up anddown relative to the container. The carrier includes a base plate havinga central bore with (i) a conically-shaped inner surface and (ii)minimum and maximum inner diameters. A downwardly-biased, power-drivenbung plug engagement tool is carried by the carrier and has a bung plugwrench at the lower end thereof. A downwardly-biased centering assemblyis also carried by the carrier and has (i) a conically-shaped outersurface extending at least partially therearound closer to the upper endthan the lower end thereof and (ii) a centering collar located proximateto the lower end thereof. The centering collar extends at leastpartially around the bung plug wrench and is concurrently moveablelaterally and angularly therewith relative to the carrier and container.The conically-shaped outer surface of the centering assembly is shapedand sized to seat within the bore of the base plate and be moveable upand then down therein and relative to the base plate, carrier andcontainer. The width or outer diameter of the centering assemblyimmediately below the conically-shaped outer surface is smaller than theminimum inner diameter of the bore of the base plate so that after theconically-shaped outer surface of the centering assembly moves uprelative to the bore of the base plate, the centering assembly and bungplug wrench are concurrently movable laterally relative to the carrierand container.

In various embodiments, the present disclosure involves an apparatus forinstalling a bung plug in and/or extracting a bung plug from a containerpositioned below the apparatus. The container includes a bung openingformed in and facing upwardly from an upper surface thereof. The bungopening is configured to contain the bung plug therein. The apparatusinclude a carrier selectively movable up and down relative to thecontainer. A power-driven bung plug engagement tool is carried by thecarrier and includes (i) an elongated, vertically-oriented shaft havingupper and lower ends and (ii) a bung plug wrench disposed at the lowerend of the shaft and configured to engage the bung plug in the bungopening of the container during installation of the bung plug and/ordisengage the bung plug from the bung opening during extraction of thebung plug. A centering collar is also carried by the carrier and atleast partially encapsulates the bung plug wrench. At least twospaced-apart outer springs are positioned radially outwardly of theshaft, respectively, and provide downward biasing forces upon thecentering collar and bung plug wrench relative to the carrier andcontainer. At least two spaced-apart inner springs, separate anddistinct from the outer springs, are also positioned radially outwardlyof the shaft, respectively, and provide downward biasing forces upon thebung plug wrench relative to the centering collar, carrier andcontainer.

The present disclosure includes embodiments of apparatus for installinga bung plug in and/or extracting a bung plug from a container positionedbelow the apparatus. The container has a bung opening formed in andfacing upwardly from an upper surface thereof and an upwardly protrudingbung opening lip extending at least partially around the bung opening.The bung opening lip has an outer diameter and the bung opening isconfigured to contain the bung plug therein. The apparatus includes acarrier selectively movable up and down relative to the container andincluding a base plate having a central bore with a conically-shapedinner surface. A downwardly-biased, power-driven bung plug engagementtool is carried by the carrier and includes a bung plug wrench proximateto the lower end thereof. A downwardly-biased centering collar is alsocarried by the carrier, has a lowermost edge and an inner diameter. Thecentering collar extends at least partially around the bung plug wrenchand is concurrently moveable laterally and angularly therewith relativeto the carrier and container. A downwardly-biased centering cone iscoupled to the centering collar and has a conically-shaped outer surfaceextending at least partially around the perimeter thereof and which isshaped and sized to seat within the bore of the base plate and bemoveable up and then down therein and relative to the base plate and thecarrier. The conically-shaped outer surface of the centering cone isspaced upwardly from the lowermost edge of the centering collar nogreater than twice the smaller of the outer diameter of the bung openinglip or inner diameter of the centering collar.

There are also embodiments herein of apparatus for installing aremovable, threaded bung plug in a container positioned below theapparatus. The container has a vertical axis, an upper surface and athreaded bung opening formed in and facing upwardly from the uppersurface. The vertical axis of the container extends through the centerof the bung opening. The threads of the bung opening are perpendicularto the vertical axis of the container and configured to engage threadsof the bung plug. The apparatus includes a carrier selectively movableup and down relative to the container. A downwardly-biased,power-driven, rotatable bung plug engagement tool is carried by thecarrier and includes a bung plug wrench at the lower end thereof. Thebung plug wrench is configured to threadably engage the bung plug in thebung opening of the container. A positionally self-adjusting,downwardly-biased centering assembly is also carried by the carrier andincludes a centering collar located proximate to the lower end thereof.The centering collar extends at least partially around the bung plugwrench and is concurrently moveable laterally and angularly with thebung plug wrench relative to the carrier and container. As the carrieris moved down to the container, the centering assembly willautomatically align the centering collar and bung plug wrench in thevertical axis of the container and perpendicular to the threads of thebung opening. At least one displacement sensor is coupled to thecentering assembly and moveable concurrently therewith so that as thecarrier is moved down to the container, the centering assembly willautomatically position the displacement sensor(s) to accurately measurethe amount of vertical movement of the bung plug in the bung openingduring installation thereof.

In many embodiments, the present disclosure involves apparatus forinstalling a removable bung plug in a container positioned below theapparatus. The container has a bung opening formed in and facingupwardly from an upper surface thereof and an upwardly protruding bungopening lip extending at least partially around the bung opening. Thebung opening is configured to contain the bung plug therein. Theapparatus includes a carrier selectively movable up and down relative tothe container. A downwardly-biased bung plug engagement tool is carriedby the carrier and has a bung plug wrench at the lower end thereof. Adownwardly-biased centering assembly is also carried by the carrier andincludes a centering collar located proximate to the lower end thereof.The centering collar extends at least partially around the bung plugwrench and is positioned to sit down upon the bung opening lip duringbung plug installation without directly abutting the upper surface ofthe container. At least one displacement sensor is rigidly coupled tothe centering assembly so that as the carrier is moved down to thecontainer, the displacement sensor(s) will be positioned to accuratelymeasure the depth of the bung plug in the bung opening throughoutinstallation thereof on a continuing basis in real time.

In some embodiments, the present disclosure includes apparatus forextracting a removable bung plug from a container positioned below theapparatus. The container has a bung opening formed in and facingupwardly from an upper surface thereof and an upwardly protruding bungopening lip extending at least partially around the bung opening. Thebung opening is configured to contain the bung plug therein. Theapparatus includes a carrier selectively movable up and down relative tothe container. A downwardly-biased, power-driven bung plug engagementtool is carried by the carrier and includes (i) an elongated,vertically-oriented shaft having upper and lower ends and (ii) a bungplug wrench disposed at the lower end of the shaft. After the carrier ismoved down to the container, the bung plug engagement tool is configuredto engage and remove the bung plug from the container and thereaftercarry the bung plug as the carrier is moved up away from the container.A bung plug engagement tool retractor is operatively coupled to the bungplug engagement tool. A downwardly-biased centering assembly is carriedby the carrier includes a centering collar located proximate to thelower end thereof and extending at least partially around the bung plugwrench. After the bung plug engagement tool removes the bung plug fromthe container and before the carrier is moved up away from thecontainer, the bung plug engagement tool retractor is configured to movethe bung plug engagement tool and bung plug upwardly relative to thecentering assembly, carrier and container and clear of the bung openinglip.

In various embodiments, apparatus for installing a threaded bung plug ina container positioned below the apparatus includes a carrierselectively movable up and down relative to the container. The carrierincludes a base plate having a central bore with a conically-shapedinner surface. A power-driven bung plug engagement tool is carried bythe carrier and includes a rotatable bung plug wrench at the lower endthereof. A centering assembly is carried by the carrier and includes aconically-shaped outer surface extending at least partially therearoundcloser to the upper end than the lower end thereof. The conically-shapedouter surface of the centering assembly is shaped and sized to seatwithin the bore of the base plate and is moveable up and then downtherein and relative to the base plate, carrier and container. Thecentering assembly also includes a centering collar located proximate tothe lower end thereof. The centering collar extends at least partiallyaround the bung plug wrench and is concurrently moveable side-to-sideand angularly therewith relative to the carrier and container. Wheneverthe conically-shaped outer surface of the centering assembly moves uprelative to the bore of the base plate during bung plug installation,the centering assembly and bung plug wrench are concurrently movableside-to-side and angularly relative to the carrier and container. Atleast one automated torque sensor is operatively coupled to the bungplug wrench and configured to measure torque placed upon, and count thenumber of revolutions of rotation of, the bung plug during installationthereof in real time.

In some embodiments, apparatus for installing a threaded bung plug in acontainer positioned below the apparatus includes a carrier selectivelymovable up and down relative to the container. The carrier includes abase plate having a central bore with a conically-shaped inner surface.A power-driven bung plug engagement tool is carried by the carrier andincludes a bung plug wrench. A centering collar is carried by thecarrier and extends at least partially around the bung plug wrench. Acentering cone has a conically-shaped outer surface extending at leastpartially around the perimeter thereof, is shaped and sized to seatwithin the bore of the base plate and moveable up and then down thereinand relative to the base plate and the carrier. At least onedisplacement sensor is arranged to accurately measure the amount ofvertical movement of the bung plug in the bung opening duringinstallation thereof. At least one electronic controller iselectronically coupled to the displacement sensor(s) to receivemeasurements taken thereby in real-time during installation of the bungplug and, based at least partially upon at least one such measurement,determines if the bung plug has been cross-threaded in the threaded bungopening and, if so, stops installation of the bung plug.

In many embodiments, apparatus for installing a removable, threaded bungplug in a container positioned below the apparatus and having a verticalaxis, an upper surface and a threaded bung opening formed in and facingupwardly from the upper surface. The vertical axis of the containerextends through the center of the bung opening. The threads of the bungopening are perpendicular to the vertical axis of the container andconfigured to engage threads of the bung plug. The apparatus includes acarrier selectively movable up and down relative to the container. Arotatable bung plug engagement tool is carried by the carrier andincludes a bung plug wrench at the lower end thereof. The bung plugwrench is configured to threadably engage the bung plug in the bungopening of the container. A positionally self-adjusting centeringassembly carried by the carrier has a centering collar located proximateto the lower end thereof. The centering collar extends at leastpartially around the bung plug wrench and is concurrently moveableside-to-side and angularly therewith relative to the carrier andcontainer. As the carrier is moved down to the container, the centeringassembly will automatically align the centering collar and bung plugwrench in the vertical axis of the container and perpendicular to thethreads of the bung opening. At least one linear encoder is coupled tothe centering assembly and moveable concurrently therewith, whereby asthe carrier is moved down to the container, the centering assembly willautomatically position the at least one linear encoder to accuratelymeasure the amount of vertical movement of the bung plug in the bungopening during installation thereof.

In certain embodiments, apparatus for installing a removable bung plugin a container positioned below the apparatus includes a carrierselectively movable up and down relative to the container. A bung plugengagement tool is carried by the carrier and includes a bung plugwrench. A centering assembly is also carried by the carrier and includesa centering collar located proximate to the lower end thereof. Thecentering collar extends at least partially around the bung plug wrenchand is positioned to at least partially sit down upon the bung openinglip during bung plug installation. At least one displacement sensor isconfigured to measure the depth of the bung plug in the bung openingduring installation thereof. At least one torque sensor is operativelycoupled to the bung plug wrench and configured to measure torque placedupon the bung plug as the bung plug wrench installs the bung plug in thebung opening and count the number of revolutions of rotation of the bungplug as it is installed in the container.

This disclosure even includes apparatus for installing a bung plug in adrum positioned below the apparatus. The drum has a bung opening formedin and facing upwardly from an upper surface thereof. The bung openingis configured to contain the bung plug therein. The apparatus includes acarrier selectively movable up and down relative to the drum. A bungplug engagement tool carried by the carrier includes at least one shafta bung plug wrench disposed proximate to the lower end of the shaft. Acentering collar is also carried by the carrier and at least partiallyencapsulates the bung plug wrench. At least two spaced-apart outerbiasing members are positioned radially outwardly of the shaft andprovide downward biasing forces upon the centering collar and bung plugwrench relative to the carrier and drum. At least two spaced-apart innerbiasing members, separate and distinct from the outer biasing members,are also positioned radially outwardly of the shaft and provide downwardbiasing forces upon the bung plug wrench relative to the centeringcollar, carrier and drum.

In many embodiments, apparatus for extracting a bung plug from a drumpositioned below the apparatus can be used with a drum having a bungopening formed in and facing upwardly from an upper surface thereof. Thebung opening is configured to contain the bung plug therein. Theapparatus includes a carrier selectively movable up and down relative tothe drum. A bung plug engagement tool is carried by the carrier andincluding at least one shaft having a bung plug wrench disposedproximate to the lower end thereof. A centering collar is also carriedby the carrier and at least partially encapsulates the bung plug wrench.At least two spaced-apart outer biasing members are positioned radiallyoutwardly of the shaft, respectively, and provide downward biasingforces upon the centering collar and bung plug wrench relative to thecarrier and drum. At least two spaced-apart inner biasing members,separate and distinct from the outer biasing members, are alsopositioned radially outwardly of the shaft, and provide downward biasingforces upon the bung plug wrench relative to the centering collar,carrier and drum.

In many embodiments, the present disclosure involves apparatus forinstalling a removable, threaded bung plug in a container positionedbelow the apparatus. The container has a vertical axis, an upper surfaceand a threaded bung opening formed in and facing upwardly from the uppersurface. The vertical axis of the container extends through the centerof the bung opening, while the threads of the bung opening areperpendicular to the vertical axis of the container and configured toengage threads of the bung plug. The apparatus includes a carrierselectively movable up and down relative to the container. A bung plugengagement tool is carried by the carrier and includes a rotatable bungplug wrench. A positionally self-adjusting centering assembly is alsocarried by the carrier and includes centering collar located proximateto the lower end thereof. The centering collar extends at leastpartially around the bung plug wrench. At least one displacement sensoris arranged to measure the amount of vertical movement of the bung plugin the bung opening during installation thereof. At least one torquesensor is associated with the bung plug wrench and arranged to measuretorque placed upon, and count the number of revolutions of rotation of,the bung plug during installation thereof.

The present disclosure includes embodiments of an automated system forremoving a bung plug from a drum and installing a bung plug in the drum.The drum is movable on a conveyor to and from at least first and secondstations associated with the system. The first and second stations mayor may not be immediately adjacent to one other and there may be one ormore intermediate stations between the first and second stations. Thedrum includes a bung opening formed in and facing upwardly from an uppersurface thereof and an outer rim extending around the upper surface. Thebung opening is configured to contain a removable bung plug therein. Thecenter of the bung opening is spaced inwardly from the outer rim of thedrum by a distance. The bung opening has an upwardly protruding lipextending therearound and a diameter measured between opposing sides ofthe lip.

The automated system of these embodiments includes an automated drumrotator and an automated, power-driven, up-and-down moving bung locatorat the first station. The bung locator has at least first and seconddownwardly-facing bung location sensors spaced apart the same distanceas the diameter of the bung opening. The bung locator also carries atleast one downwardly-extending foot spaced outwardly relative to thebung location sensors and configured to rest upon the outer rim of thedrum. The bung locator is configured to be lowered down over the drumuntil at least one foot thereof contacts the outer rim of the drum,whereby the positioning of at least one foot of the bung locator incontact with outer rim will position each of the bung location sensorsradially inwardly of the outer rim the same distance as the distancebetween the outer rim and the center of the bung opening. As the drum isrotated below the bung locator, the bung location sensors willconcurrently detect the presence of opposing sides of the lip of thebung opening thereunder, respectively.

The automated system of these embodiments also includes an automated,power-driven, downwardly-facing bung plug extractor at the firststation. The bung plug extractor includes an automated, power-driven,bung plug wrench and a centering collar extending at least partiallyaround the bung plug wrench. The bung plug extractor further includes atleast two outer springs providing downward biasing forces upon thecentering collar thereof and positioned radially outwardly of and abovethe centering collar. When there is a bung plug in the bung opening ofthe drum at the first station and the bung plug extractor is alignedwith and lowered over the bung opening, the centering collar thereofwill rest at least partially upon the lip of the bung opening and thebung plug wrench thereof will be positioned to engage and loosen thebung plug from the drum. If the bung plug extractor and bung opening arenot aligned as the bung plug extractor is lowered, one or more of theouter springs of the bung plug extractor may deflect to allow thecentering collar and bung plug wrench of the bung plug extractor to tiltrelative to the drum to align the bung plug wrench over the bung plugand allow its engagement therewith.

The automated system of these embodiments also includes an automated,power-driven, downwardly-facing bung plug installer at the secondstation. The bung plug installer is distinct from the bung plugextractor and includes an automated, power-driven, bung plug wrench anda centering collar extending at least partially around the bung plugwrench. The bung plug installer further includes at least two outersprings providing downward biasing forces upon the centering collarthereof and positioned radially outwardly of and above the centeringcollar. When the bung plug installer is aligned and lowered over thebung opening of the drum, the centering collar thereof will rest atleast partially upon the lip of the bung opening and the bung plugwrench thereof will be radially inwards thereof and selectivelypower-driven to install a bung plug in the bung opening. If the bungplug installer and bung opening are not aligned as the bung pluginstaller is lowered, one or more of the outer springs of the bung pluginstaller may deflect to allow the centering collar and bung plug wrenchof the bung plug installer to tilt relative to the drum to align thebung plug wrench over the bung opening for installation of a bung plugtherein.

If desired, the automated drum rotator may include front and rearwheeled carriages positioned on opposing sides of the conveyor at thefirst station. Each carriage may include at least a first automated,power-driven clamp arm, each clamp arm having at least one rotatablewheel mounted thereon. Each clamp arm may be independently selectivelymoveable inwardly relative to the conveyor and the drum positioned atthe first station until at least one wheel thereof contacts the drum. Atleast one of the wheels of the front and/or rear wheeled carriages maybe automated and power-driven to selectively rotate the drum. Eachcarriage may include automated outer and inner, independently moving,power-driven clamp arms, respectively. Each clamp arm may include atleast two spaced-apart wheels thereon. Each wheel may be engageable withthe drum. Some or all of the wheels of the front wheeled carriage may bepower-driven to selectively rotate the drum.

If desired, the system may include a rotation platform positioned underthe drum at the first station and selectively moveable up and downrelative to the conveyor. The rotation platform can be lifted with thedrum on it during rotation of the drum. The bung location sensors may befiber optics sensors. At least one optic amplifier may be associatedwith the bung location sensors and configured to cause one or more lightsignals to project down through each bung location sensor onto the uppersurface of the rotating drum, receive light signals reflected up off theupper surface the drum through the bung location sensors and determinewhen reflected light signals are concurrently received through both bunglocation sensors to indicate the bung location sensors aresimultaneously positioned over respective opposing edges of the lip ofthe bung opening.

The bung locator may not engage or ride across the upper surface of thedrum. The foot or feet of the bung locator may be rigidly coupled to thebung locator and not include any moving parts. The bung plug extractorand/or bung plug installer may include three outer springs evenlyspaced-apart around the centering collar thereof and configured to allowthe centering collar and bung plug wrench thereof to concurrently tiltin any direction around 360° relative to the drum. The bung plugextractor and/or installer may be configured to allow up to ¼″displacement of the centering collar and bung plug wrench thereof in anydirection around 360° relative to the drum.

The system may include an electronic controller electronically coupledto the bung locator, bung plug extractor and bung plug installer andconfigured to automatically control the movement thereof, respectively.The bung locator may be configured to emit a series of reflectivesignals through the bung location sensors onto the upper surface of thedrum, retrieve at least some of the reflective signals and communicatedata relating thereto to the electronic controller. The system mayinclude an air motor electronically coupled to the electronic controllerand operatively coupled to the bung plug wrench of the bung plugextractor and configured to selectively rotate the bung plug wrench andbung plug to automatically loosen the bung plug from the drum. Aservo-motor may be electronically coupled to the electronic controllerand operatively coupled to the bung plug wrench of the bung pluginstaller and configured to selectively rotate the bung plug wrench andbung plug to automatically install the bung plug in the bung opening ofthe drum.

If desired, a vacuum source may be associated with the system. The bungplug wrench of the bung plug extractor and/or installer may includeupper and lower ends and at least one vacuum space proximate to itslower end. The vacuum space of the bung plug wrench of the bung plugextractor may be fluidly coupled to the vacuum source to provide suctionin the vacuum space so the bung plug wrench of the bung plug extractorcan be used to effectively lift up the bung plug after it is removedfrom the drum and effectively carry it to a bung plug depository andselectively release suction in the vacuum space when the bung plugwrench and bung plug carried thereby are positioned over the bung plugdepository. The vacuum space of the bung plug wrench of the bung pluginstaller may be fluidly coupled to the vacuum source to provide suctionin the vacuum space of the bung plug installer so the bung plug wrenchof the bung plug installer can be used to effectively lift a bung plugfrom the bung plug depository and effectively carry it to the bungopening of the drum and install it therein.

The present disclosure also includes embodiments of an automated systemfor installing a bung plug in a drum. The drum is movable on a conveyorinto and through the system. The drum includes a bung opening formed inand facing upwardly from an upper surface thereof and an outer rimextending around the upper surface. The bung opening is configured tocontain a releasable bung plug threadably engageable therein and thebung opening has an upwardly protruding lip extending therearound. Thesystem includes an electronic controller and automated drum rotatorelectronically coupled to the electronic controller. The electroniccontroller controls use of the drum rotator to selectively rotate thedrum in the system. An automated, power-driven, up-and-down moving bunglocator is electronically coupled to the controller and carries at leastone downwardly-facing bung location sensor. The bung locator includes atleast one downwardly-extending foot spaced outwardly relative to thebung location sensor(s) and configured to rest at least partially uponthe outer rim of the drum. The bung locator is configured to be lowereddown over the drum until at least one foot thereof contacts the outerrim of the drum. As the drum is rotated below the bung locator, the bunglocation sensor(s) will detect the presence of the lip of the bungopening thereunder.

In these embodiments, an automated, power-driven, downwardly-facing bungplug installer is also electronically coupled to the electroniccontroller. The bung plug installer includes an automated, power-driven,bung plug wrench selectively rotatable to install a bung plug in thebung opening. An automated torque sensor is operatively coupled to thebung plug wrench of the bung plug installer and electronically coupledto the electronic controller. The torque sensor is configured to measuretorque placed upon the bung plug as the bung plug wrench of the bungplug installer installs the bung plug in the bung opening in real-timeas often as desired. An automated displacement sensor is coupled to thebung plug installer and electronically coupled to the electroniccontroller. The displacement sensor is configured to measure the amountof vertical movement of the bung plug in the bung opening duringinstallation thereof. Based at least partially upon at least onemeasurement taken by the torque sensor and/or the displacement sensor,the electronic controller will stop the installation of the bung plug bythe bung plug wrench of the bung plug installer and/or determine if theamount of torque applied to the bung plug meets, exceeds or falls belowa desired torque value.

If desired, the displacement sensor may include at least one linearencoder. The bung plug installer may further include a servo-motorelectronically coupled to the electronic controller and operativelycoupled to the bung plug wrench of the bung plug installer andconfigured to selectively rotate the bung plug wrench and bung plug toinstall the bung plug in the bung opening of the drum. The automatedtorque sensor may include at least one encoder disposed within theservo-motor. The automated torque sensor may be configured to count thenumber of revolutions of rotation of the bung plug as it is installed inthe drum.

In some embodiments, the present disclosure involves an automated methodof removing a bung plug from a drum and installing a bung plug in thedrum with the use of an automated drum manipulation system. The drum hasa bung opening formed in and facing upwardly from its upper surface andan outer rim extending around the upper surface. The bung opening isconfigured to contain a bung plug therein. The center of the bungopening is spaced inwardly from the outer rim of the drum by a distance.The bung opening has an upwardly protruding lip extending therearound.

In these embodiments, after the drum with a bung plug in its bungopening arrives in the system, at least one automated, power-driven,clamp arm of a front and/or a rear wheeled carriage moves inwardlytoward the drum until at least one wheel thereof contacts the drum. Atleast two automated, power-driven wheels of at least one of thecarriages rotate the drum. An automated bung locator moves down toposition at least one foot extending downwardly therefrom upon the outerrim of the drum to automatically position first and seconddownwardly-facing, spaced-apart bung location sensors carried by thebung locator radially inwardly of the outer rim of the drum the sameapproximate distance as the distance between the outer rim and thecenter of the bung opening. As the drum is rotated below the bunglocator, the first and second bung location sensors automatically detectwhen opposing sides of the lip of the bung opening are concurrentlypositioned thereunder. The power-driven wheel(s) of the front and/orrear carriages automatically cease rotating the drum when or after thefirst and second bung location sensors detect opposing sides of the lipof the bung opening are concurrently positioned thereunder.

An automated downwardly-facing bung plug extractor moves down over thebung hole to position a centering collar thereof atop the lip of thebung opening and an automated, power-driven bung plug wrench of the bungplug extractor radially inwards of the lip. The bung plug wrench loosensthe bung plug from the drum and the bung plug is removed from the drum.An automated downwardly-facing bung plug installer (separate anddistinct from the bung plug extractor) moves down over the bung hole ofthe drum to position a centering collar thereof atop the lip of the bungopening and an automated, power-driven bung plug wrench of the bung pluginstaller radially inwards of the lip. The bung plug wrench of the bungplug installer installs a bung plug in the bung opening of the drum. Ifdesired, during installation of the bung plug in the bung opening, anautomated torque sensor operatively coupled to the bung plug wrench ofthe bung plug installer may measure torque placed upon the bung plug bythe bung plug wrench of the bung plug installer during installationthereof in real-time. Based at least partially upon at least onemeasurement taken by the automated torque sensor, an electroniccontroller electronically coupled to the automated torque sensor maydetermine if the amount of torque applied to the bung plug meets,exceeds or falls below a desired torque value.

Accordingly, the present disclosure includes features and advantageswhich are believed to enable it to advance container manipulationtechnology. Characteristics and advantages of the present disclosuredescribed above and additional features and benefits will be readilyapparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the followingdetailed description of various embodiments and referring to theaccompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following figures are part of the present specification, included todemonstrate certain aspects of various embodiments of this disclosureand referenced in the detailed description herein:

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of an embodiment of a drum manipulationsystem shown with an exemplary drum filling system in accordance withthe present disclosure;

FIG. 1B is a perspective view of various exemplary components of thedrum manipulation system of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 1C is an exploded view of various exemplary components of the drummanipulation system of FIG. 1A including the bung locator and bung plugextractor in accordance with one or more embodiments of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the exemplary drum manipulation systemand drum filling system of FIG. 1A along with an exemplary framework andenclosure in accordance with one or more embodiments of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an exemplary steel drum;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an exemplary metallic bung plug;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an exemplary plastic bung plug;

FIG. 6 is an exploded view of various components of the exemplary drummanipulation system of FIG. 1A including the exemplary drum rotator inaccordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of various components of the exemplary drummanipulation system of FIG. 1A including the exemplary bung locator andbung plug extractor in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 8 is an exploded view of the exemplary bung locator shown in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the exemplary bung locator of FIG. 7shown engaging an exemplary drum;

FIG. 10 is a top view of the exemplary bung locator of FIG. 9 ;

FIG. 11 is a side view of the exemplary bung locator of FIG. 9 ;

FIG. 12 is a sectional view of the exemplary bung locator of FIG. 11taken along lines FIG. 12 -FIG. 12 ;

FIG. 13 is an exploded view of the exemplary bung locator of FIG. 12 ;

FIG. 14 is a top view of an exemplary bung locator engaging an exemplarydrum in accordance with one or more embodiments of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 15 is a side view of the exemplary bung locator of FIG. 14 beforeengaging the drum;

FIG. 16 is a side view of the exemplary bung locator of FIG. 14 engagingthe drum;

FIG. 17A is a perspective view of the exemplary bung plug extractorshown in FIG. 1A in accordance with one or more embodiments of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 17B is a side view of the exemplary bung plug extractor of FIG. 17Ain accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 17C is a cross-sectional view of the exemplary bung plug extractorof FIG. 17B taken along lines FIG. 17C-FIG. 17C;

FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view of the exemplary bung plug extractorof FIG. 17A in an exemplary home position, or before engaging anexemplary drum, in accordance with one or more embodiments of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 19 is an exploded view of an exemplary bung plug engagement tool inaccordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 20 is a side view of the exemplary bung plug engagement tool ofFIG. 19 ;

FIG. 21 is an exploded view of another exemplary bung plug engagementtool in accordance with one or more embodiments of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 22 is a top view of the exemplary bung plug extractor of FIG. 17Ashown engaging an exemplary drum;

FIG. 23 is a perspective view of the exemplary bung plug extractor ofFIG. 22 ;

FIG. 24 is a side view of the exemplary bung plug extractor of FIG. 22 ;

FIG. 25 is a cross-sectional view of the exemplary bung plug extractorof FIG. 24 taken along lines FIG. 25 -FIG. 25 ;

FIG. 26 is a cross-sectional view of the exemplary bung plug extractorof FIG. 17A contacting an exemplary drum and bung plug therein inaccordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 27 is a cross-sectional view of the exemplary bung plug extractorof FIG. 17A contacting an exemplary drum and bung plug at the beginningof extraction of the bung plug in accordance with one or moreembodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 28 is a cross-sectional view of the exemplary bung plug extractorof FIG. 17A being lifted away from the exemplary drum after removing theexemplary bung plug therefrom in accordance with one or more embodimentsof the present disclosure;

FIG. 29 is a cross-sectional view of the exemplary bung plug extractorof FIG. 17A in a misaligned position while contacting an exemplary drumand bung plug therein prior to removing the bung plug in accordance withone or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 30 is an isolated side view of certain components of the exemplarybung plug extractor of FIG. 17A including an exemplary bung plugretraction actuator in accordance with one or more embodiments of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 31 is a cross-sectional view of the exemplary bung plug extractorcomponents shown in FIG. 30 taken along lines FIG. 31 -FIG. 31 ;

FIG. 32 is an exploded view of the exemplary bung plug extractorcomponents shown in FIG. 30 ;

FIG. 33 is a perspective view of the vacuum fitting of the exemplarybung plug extractor of FIG. 17A in accordance with one or moreembodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 34 is a perspective view of the bung plug conveyor shown in FIG. 1Ain accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 35 is a perspective view of the exemplary bung plug installer shownin FIG. 1A in accordance with one or more embodiments of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 36 is a cross-sectional view of the exemplary bung plug installerof FIG. 35 in an exemplary home position, or before installing anexemplary bung plug in an exemplary drum, in accordance with one or moreembodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 37 is a cross-sectional view of the exemplary bung plug installerof FIG. 35 as it makes contact with an exemplary drum and prior to fullythreadably engaging an exemplary bung plug therewith in accordance withone or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 38 is a cross-sectional view of the exemplary bung plug installerof FIG. 35 after threadably engaging an exemplary bung plug too far intothe bung opening of an exemplary drum;

FIG. 39 is a cross-sectional view of the exemplary bung plug installerof FIG. 35 after threadably engaging an exemplary bung plug with anexemplary drum and moving away from the drum in accordance with one ormore embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 40 is an exploded view of various exemplary components of the drummanipulation system of FIG. 1A including the exemplary bung pluginstaller in accordance with one or more embodiments of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 41 is a perspective view of the exemplary bung plug installer ofFIG. 35 shown engaging an exemplary drum;

FIG. 42 is a top view of the exemplary bung plug installer of FIG. 41 ;

FIG. 43 is a side view of the exemplary bung plug installer of FIG. 41 ;

FIG. 44 is a cross-sectional view of the exemplary bung plug installerof FIG. 43 taken along lines FIG. 44 -FIG. 44 ;

FIG. 45 is an isolated side view of certain components of the exemplarybung plug installer of FIG. 35 including the exemplary displacementsensor in accordance with one or more embodiments of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 46 is a top view of the exemplary bung plug installer components ofFIG. 45 ;

FIG. 47 is an exploded view of the exemplary bung plug installercomponents of FIG. 45 ; and

FIG. 48 is a cross-sectional view of the exemplary bung plug installercomponents of FIG. 45 taken along lines FIG. 48 -FIG. 48 .

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PRESENTLY PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Characteristics and advantages of the present disclosure and additionalfeatures and benefits will be readily apparent to those skilled in theart upon consideration of the following detailed description ofexemplary embodiments and/or referring to the accompanying figures. Itshould be understood that the description herein and appended drawings,being of example embodiments, are not intended to limit the claims ofthis patent or any patent or patent application claiming priorityhereto. On the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications,equivalents and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of thisdisclosure and appended claims. Many changes may be made to theparticular embodiments and details disclosed herein without departingfrom such spirit and scope.

In showing and describing preferred embodiments in the appended figures,common or similar elements are referenced with like or identicalreference numerals or are apparent from the figures and/or thedescription herein. The figures are not necessarily to scale and certainfeatures and certain views of the figures may be shown exaggerated inscale or in schematic in the interest of clarity and conciseness.

As used herein and throughout various portions (and headings) of thispatent (including the claims), the terms “invention”, “presentinvention” and variations thereof are not intended to mean everypossible embodiment encompassed by this disclosure or any particularclaim(s). Thus, the subject matter of each such reference should not beconsidered as necessary for, or part of, every embodiment hereof or ofany particular claim(s) merely because of such reference.

Certain terms are used herein and in the appended claims to refer toparticular components. As one skilled in the art will appreciate,different persons may refer to a component by different names. The useof a particular or known term of art as the name of a component hereinis not intended to limit that component to only the known or definedmeaning of such term (e.g. bar, rod, cover, panel, spring, plate, bolt).Further, this document does not intend to distinguish between componentsthat differ in name but not function. Also, the terms “including” and“comprising” are used herein and in the appended claims in an open-endedfashion, and thus should be interpreted to mean “including, but notlimited to . . . ”. Further, reference herein and in the appended claimsto components, feature, actions, aspects etc. in a singular tense doesnot limit the present disclosure or appended claims to only one suchcomponent or aspect, but should be interpreted to mean one or more,except and only to the extent as may be expressly limited to one in aparticular claim hereof and only for such claim(s) and any claim(s)depending therefrom

As used herein and in the appended claims, the following terms have thefollowing meanings, except and only to the extent as may be expresslyspecified differently in a particular claim hereof and only for suchclaim(s) and any claim(s) depending therefrom:

The term “and/or” as used herein provides for three distinctpossibilities: one, the other or both. All three possibilities do notneed to be available—only any one of the three. For example, if acomponent is described as “having a collar and/or a coupling”, someembodiments may include a collar, some embodiments may include acoupling and some embodiments may include both. Since the use of“and/or” herein does not require all three possibilities, a claimlimitation herein that recites “having a collar and/or a coupling” wouldbe literally infringed by a device including only one or more collars,one or more couplings or both one or more couplings and one or morecollars.

The terms “automated” and variations thereof as used herein mean capableof operating or performing one or more tasks without human intervention.One example of automation is with the use of one or more electronicdevices.

The terms “bung opening” and variations thereof as used herein mean andinclude a fill hole or orifice formed in a drum or other container (e.g.in the top of thereof and facing generally upwardly) useful for fillingthe drum or other container with desired contents and often surroundedby a flange or other closure attachment (e.g. with receiving threads)for receiving a bung plug.

The terms “bung plug” and variations thereof as used herein mean andinclude one or more caps, covers, closures or plugs releasablyengageable with a bung opening, such as by threadable engagement, othermateable engagement, snapping engagement or any other type of releasableengagement and constructed of any suitable material(s) (e.g. steel,plastic, composite, wood, etc.).

The terms “coupled”, “connected” and the like, and variations thereof,as used herein mean either an indirect or direct connection orengagement, except and only to the extent as may be expressly recitedand explicitly required in a particular claim hereof and only for suchclaim(s) and any claim(s) depending therefrom. Thus, if a first devicecouples to a second device, that connection may be through a directconnection, or through an indirect connection via other devices andconnections (except and only to the extent as may be expressly recitedand explicitly required in a particular claim hereof and only for suchclaim(s) and any claim(s) depending therefrom).

The terms “electronically coupled” and variations thereof as used hereinmean in electronic communication, whether by physical connection (e.g.cable, wiring, bus-bar, switch, etc.), non-physical communication (e.g.wireless, such as Wi-Fi, LAN, other), a combination thereof or both, orotherwise.

The terms “deflect” and variations thereof as used herein mean bend,twist, stretch, compress, expand, deform and the like, such as theaction of a typical spring.

The terms “drum” and variations thereof as used herein mean and includefifty-five (or more or less) gallon drums, pails, barrels or any otherform of container having a bung opening formed therein (e.g. in the topthereof) and constructed of any suitable material(s) (e.g. steel,plastic, woods, etc.).

The terms “drum manipulation operation”, “drum manipulation activity”and variations thereof as used herein mean and include any one or moreactivities that relate to manipulating a drum such as, withoutlimitation, activities associated with rotating a drum, selectivelylocating and positioning a bung opening (or bung plug therein) of adrum, removing and/or installing a bung plug in the bung opening of adrum or a combination thereof.

The terms “elongated” and variations thereof as used herein mean,include and refer to an item having an overall length (during theintended use of the item) that is greater than its average width.

The terms “generally”, “substantially” and variations thereof as usedherein mean and include (i) completely, or 100%, of the referencedparameter, variable, value, event etc. and (ii) a range of values lessthan 100% based upon the typical, normal or expected degree of variationor error for the referenced parameter, variable, value, event, etc. inthe context of the particular embodiment or use thereof, such as, forexample, 90-100%, 95-100% or 98-100%.

The terms “operator” and variations thereof as used herein mean andinclude one or more humans, robots or robotic components, artificialintelligence-driven components/circuitry, other components and the like.

Any component identified as a “plate” herein includes, but is notlimited to, a plate as that term is commonly understood (e.g. a thin,flat sheet or strip of metal or other material, typically used to joinor strengthen things or forming part of a machine), and may havenon-planar surfaces or construction, may not be thin per se, may haveany other form suitable for use in the particular configuration in whichit is used (e.g. may be a curved or curvilinear-shaped member, housing,cone, sleeve, flange, collar, etc.) may be comprised of multiple partsor a combination thereof.

The terms “power-driven”, “power-operated” and variations thereof asused herein mean driven or operated by one or more motors, engines,electronic devices or the like to perform one or more subject tasks oractivities without manual effort by a human operator to perform thesubject tasks or activities.

The terms “rigidly coupled” and variations thereof as used herein meanconnected together in a manner that is intended not to allow any, ormore than an insubstantial or minimal amount of, relative movementtherebetween during typical or expected operations. In other words, ifcomponents A and B are rigidly coupled together, they are not movablerelative to one another (more than a minimal or insubstantial amount)during typical or expected operations.

As used herein, when a component is “spring-biased”, the component isarranged to be pressed in one general direction by one or more springsand/or other mechanisms, and can be moved back (in the opposite generaldirection) upon the application of force(s) to the component sufficientto overcome the pressing forces of the spring(s) and/or othermechanism(s). Spring(s) and/or other mechanisms mentioned herein may bereferred to as “biasing” the associated component(s) or providing“biasing force(s)” upon or to the associated component(s). The use ofthe terms “spring-biased”, “biasing”, “biasing force(s)” and variationsthereof herein and in the appended claims does not require the use ofone or more actual springs to provide the biasing force(s); any desiredor suitable mechanism or arrangement of parts may be used, except andonly to the extent as may be expressly recited and explicitly requiredin a particular claim hereof and only for such claim(s) and any claim(s)depending therefrom.

The terms “spring” and variations thereof as used herein mean andinclude one or more resilient members (e.g. compression or torsionsprings, coil springs, helical springs, Bellville-washers, leaf springs,disc springs) or non-resilient members capable of providing biasingforces upon one or more other members or components. Thus the “spring”may be a spring (in its literal sense) or any other component orcombination of components configured to spring-bias one or more othermembers or components.

The terms “swivel”, “swiveling”, “swiveling movement”, “relative angularmovement” and variations thereof as used herein mean moveable around360° relative to a vertical axis.

The terms “upright”, “vertical”, “vertically-oriented” and variationsthereof as used herein mean and include oriented perfectly orsubstantially vertically, angularly relative to a vertical axis ornon-horizontally.

It should be noted that any of the above terms may be further explained,defined, expanded or limited below or in other sections of this patent.Further, the above list of terms is not all inclusive and other termsmay be defined or explained below or in other sections of this patent.

Referring initially to FIGS. 1A-2 , an embodiment of a drum manipulationsystem 10 of the present disclosure is shown. It should be noted at theoutset that FIG. 1B is the same as FIG. 1A but with some of the subjectmatter of FIG. 1A removed to provide clarity to the remainingcomponents. Thus, when reference is made herein to FIG. 1A, the readeris invited to also refer to FIG. 1B. The illustrated drum 30 (e.g. FIG.3 ) is a steel drum, but the drum manipulation system 10 can be usedwith drums constructed of polyethylene, or other forms of thermoplasticor plastic material, or of any other material(s). The illustratedexemplary drum manipulation system 10 includes at least one drum rotator20 useful to rotate a drum 30 to a desired position, at least one bunglocator 40 useful to locate (e.g. and selectively position) at least onebung opening 32 of the drum 30 and/or a bung plug 34 therein (see e.g.FIGS. 3-5 ), at least one bung plug extractor 50 useful to remove a bungplug 34 engaged in the bung opening 32 and at least one bung pluginstaller 60 useful to install a bung plug 34 in the bung opening 32.However, other embodiments of the drum manipulation system 10 mayinclude any combination of one or more such components and/or any ofthose components may be combined. For example, some embodiments may notinclude any one or more of the drum rotator(s) 20, bung locator(s) 40,bung plug extractor(s) 50 or bung plug installer(s) 60. For otherexamples, some embodiments may include a combined bung locator 40/bungplug extractor 50, bung plug extractor 50/bung plug installer 60, etc.

Referring still to FIGS. 1A-2 , the exemplary drum manipulation system10 is shown being used with, or as part of, an exemplary overall drumfilling system 70. The illustrated drum filling system 70 is automatedand includes at least one drum filler 74 useful for filling the drums 30with desired material (e.g. liquid). At least one exemplary drumconveyor 88 is useful to generally carry the drums 30 into and throughthe drum manipulation system 10 and drum filling system 70. One or moreexemplary dust cap, or cap seal, systems 96 may be used with orincorporated into the drum manipulation system 10 or drum filling system70, such as to affix a dust cap over the bung plug 34 after it isinstalled in the drum 30. The illustrated drum manipulation system 10and drum filling system 70 are shown at least partially supported and/orsurrounded by a framework 80. Cables and wiring for various componentsof the drum manipulation system 10 and drum filling system 70 are shownat least partially contained in cable carriers 72.

The drum filling system 70, drum filler 74, framework 80, drum conveyor88 and dust cap system 96 may have any suitable form, construction,components, configuration and operation and are in no way limiting uponthe present disclosure or appended claims, except and only to the extentas may be expressly recited and explicitly required in a particularclaim hereof and only for such claim(s) and any claim(s) dependingtherefrom. For example, the drum filler 74 may include the systemdisclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,543,494 issued on Apr. 8, 2003 to Bellin etal. and entitled “Apparatus & Method for Filling Liquid Containers”, theentire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein inits entirety, any version of liquid lance filler (e.g. model DF 5510single drum filler) offered by the Assignee hereof or any other type offiller. For other examples, the framework 80 may support variouscomponents of the drum manipulation system 10 and drum filling system 70and/or an enclosure 82 having one or more panels 84 (e.g. stainlesssteel doors with glass) for providing protection, shielding variouscomponents of the drum manipulation system 10 and/or drum filling system70, allowing selective operator access, any other desired purpose(s) ora combination thereof. For yet a further example, the illustrated drumconveyor 88 may automatically move the drums 30 through the drummanipulation system 10 and drum filling system 70 and may include one ormore chain conveyors 90 (e.g. with chains 92 a, 92 b) configured toconvey the drums 30 to, between and from one or more positions, orstations, of the drum filling system 70 and/or drum manipulation system10. For still another example, the dust cap system 96 may include avibratory dust cap feeder 97 and cap seal crimping tool 98 or similarcomponents.

Still referring to FIGS. 1A-2 , in the preferred embodiment, the drummanipulation system 10 (and drum filling system 70) includes threesuccessive linearly-aligned stations 118, 120, 122 along the path of thedrum conveyor 88. A first exemplary (e.g. bung plug removal) station 118is closest to the entrance end 100 of the drum manipulation system 10and drum filling system 70, followed by a second (e.g. filling) station120, which is followed by a third (e.g. bung plug installation) station122 closest to the exit end 102 of the drum manipulation system 10 anddrum filling system 70. The exemplary stations 118, 120, 122 may bespaced apart as desired. For certain types of drums 30 (e.g. steel 55gallon drums), for example, the position of a drum 30 at each stationmay be spaced approximately or exactly 40″ apart, but could be spacedcloser or farther apart or unevenly spaced apart as desired. Further,some embodiments may include only one or two, or more than three,stations (e.g. four, five, six, etc.) and any desired activities mayoccur at each station. In the preferred embodiment, one or more sensors93 (e.g. radial encoders, linear encoders) are associated with the drumconveyor 88 to determine when the drum conveyor 88 has moved the desireddistance (e.g. 40″) to/from each station 118, 120, 122 and assist incausing the drum conveyor 88 to stop, such as via an electric VFD motor95 or other component(s).

It should be understood that the drum filling system 70 may have more orfewer components than those illustrated and described herein.Additionally, the drum manipulation system 10 of the present disclosuremay be used as part of or associated with any other systems, componentsor apparatus (other than the drum filling system 70) where it isdesirable or necessary to rotate a drum 30, locate or position a bungopening 32 or bung plug 34 of a drum 30, remove or replace a bung plug34 from a drum 30, or a combination thereof. For example, the drummanipulation system 10 may be used with equipment configured or used formanufacturing, assembling, cleaning, retrofitting, testing, measuring,filling or emptying drums 30, or may be used alone. Thus theenvironment, overall system and application with which the drummanipulation system 10 of the present disclosure may be used (includingthe nature, type, construction, configuration and components of the drum34), and the details thereof as provided herein or shown in the appendeddrawings, are in no way limiting upon the present disclosure or appendedclaims, except and only to the extent as may be expressly recited andexplicitly required in a particular claim hereof and only for suchclaim(s) and any claim(s) depending therefrom.

Still referring to FIGS. 1A-2 , in some embodiments, the drummanipulation system 10 of the present disclosure may be fully, ornearly-fully, automated to perform the desired drum manipulationoperations with minimal or no human intervention. For example, the drummanipulation system 10 may be configured to automatically process acontinuing supply of drums 30 with minimal or no human involvementduring rotation of each drum 30 to position the bung opening 32 asdesired, removal of the bung plug 34 therefrom and installation of abung plug 34 back in the bung opening 32 (e.g. after filling the drum 30and/or other activities). If desired, the drum manipulation system 10may allow other activities to be automatically performed, such asplacement and engagement (e.g. crimping via crimping tool 98) of a dustcap over the bung plug 34. Absent the occurrence of any fault events,the exemplary drum manipulation system 10 may be configured to runcontinuously as long as drums 30 are provided on the drum conveyor 88 atthe entrance end 100 of the drum manipulation system 10 and removed fromthe drum conveyor 88 (or directed otherwise) at the exit end 102. Itshould be noted that, in various instances, some human involvement maybe necessary, such as, for example, to load dust caps into the dust capsystem 96, to perform other tasks or a combination thereof. Further,human involvement may be necessary in response to the occurrence of any,or, certain fault events (e.g. which may stop the operation of the drummanipulation system 10).

Minimal, limited or no human involvement in the operation of variousembodiments of the drum manipulation system 10 during drum manipulationoperations may provide one or more benefits, such as reducing manpowerrequirements and the time and expenses associated therewith, reducingthe potential for on-site safety issues, improving the efficiency andeffectiveness of drum manipulation operations and processing of drums,etc. Many embodiments of the drum manipulation system 10 could be usedto automatically and continuously process a large quantity of drums 30(e.g. without any or minimal need for on-site personnel), savingextensive time and cost and improving efficiency and capacity, ascompared to prior systems and techniques. For example, when thepreferred embodiment of the drum manipulation system 10 is used as partof a drum filling system 70 used for filling 55 gallon drums 30 with lowviscosity fluid (e.g. water), the drum manipulation system 10 couldprocess approximately one or more drums per minute indefinitely. Otherembodiments or applications of the drum manipulation system 10 couldprocess drums 30 at a quicker rate.

Still referring to FIGS. 1A-2 , to provide the desired automation of thedrum manipulation system 10, any suitable configuration, combination andtype of components may be used. For example, all, or some, of thecomponents of the drum manipulation system 10 may be electronicallycontrolled (and thus automated) with the use of one or more electronic(e.g. PLC) controllers 12 electronically coupled thereto (e.g. via cable13, wireless communication, or in any other manner). In someembodiments, the controller 12 includes at least one personal computerhaving computer software (e.g. operating system(s), applicationsoftware, etc.), one or more processors (e.g. microprocessors, CPU),circuitry, screens/displays, etc. In the preferred embodiment, all ofthe drum manipulation operations of the drum manipulation system 10 maybe automatically controlled and/or performed via one or more centralcontrollers 12 without any or minimal human involvement (except as maybe specified otherwise herein).

In many applications, particular variables and/or parameters affectingthe operation or actions of one or more of the components of the drummanipulation system 10 may need to be set, or introduced, by one or moreoperators before or during operation of the drum manipulation system 10.For example, certain data may need to be provided into the controller 12before the start of drum manipulations operations, such as informationrelating to the type of bung plug 34, drum 30 and/or material to beinserted in the drum 30 and the filling of the drum 30. For anotherexample, in some embodiments, an operator can select (via the controller12) the desired torque to be applied to the bung plug 34 duringinstallation based upon the type of bung plug 34, type of seal on thebung plug 34 (e.g. Teflon, rubber, Viton) or other variable.

In some scenarios, the controller 12 or drum manipulation system 10 maybe configured to measure or determine certain variables/parameters orautomatically set, or introduce, them without human involvement. Invarious embodiments, one or more operators may be able to remotelysupervise, monitor and control operation of the drum manipulation system10 and/or adjust one or more variables/parameters affecting theoperation of one or more components of the drum manipulation system 10through the electronic controller 12 and/or other components. Ifdesired, one or more cameras may be used to assist in off-sitemonitoring. However, in various embodiments, only some of the drummanipulation operations performed by the drum manipulation system 10 maybe automated or the entire system may not be automated.

Still referring to FIGS. 1A-2 , the arrival of the drum 30 at theexemplary first station 118 may be accomplished in any suitable manner.For example, as the drum 30 is transported to the entrance end 100 ofthe drum manipulation system 10 (and/or drum filling system 70) on thedrum conveyor 88, one or more sensors 93 may be configured to detect thearrival of the drum 30 at the particular position along the length ofthe drum conveyor 88 that represents the first station 118 and cause thedrum conveyor 88 to stop or otherwise deposit the drum 30 at thatlocation. In the preferred embodiment, upon detection of the drum 30 atthe desired position, one or more sensors 93 signal the electroniccontroller 12, which signals the drum conveyor 88 to stop moving. Ifdesired, the drum manipulation system 10 may include one or more othersensors 140 (e.g. photo-eye sensors) to confirm (e.g. to the controller12) that the drum 30 is at the desired location (e.g. after the drumconveyor 88 stops). This exemplary configuration and operation of parts(e.g. sensor(s) 93, 140) may, if desired, be duplicated and/or usedsimilarly for moving the drum 30 to other locations (e.g. the secondstation 120, the third station 122, etc.). However, in some embodiments,the sensor(s) 93 may directly cause the drum conveyor 88 to stop, or anyother components may be used to stop the drum conveyor 88 and/ordetermine when the drum 30 has arrived at a desired location.

Referring still to FIGS. 1A-2 , the drum rotator 20 may have anysuitable form, configuration, operation and benefits. For example, thedrum rotator 20 may be configured to provide improved control in therotation of the drum 30 as compared to other known systems. Bettercontrol in the rotation of the drum 30 may save time in the processingof the drums 30, allow for more effective and accurate positioning ofthe bung opening 32 (e.g. FIG. 3 ), automation (without humaninvolvement) of bung opening 32 positioning or bung plug 34 removal orinstallation operations, provide other advantages or a combinationthereof.

In the preferred embodiment, the drum rotator 20 includes front and rearwheeled carriages 110, 112 typically positioned on the front and rearsides 104, 106 of the drum manipulation system 10 (on opposing sides ofthe drum conveyor 88) and capable of selectively engaging each drum 30that arrives at the first station 118. For example, the front wheeledcarriage 110 may have one or more “home” positions closest to the frontside 104 of the drum manipulation system 10 and the rear wheeledcarriage 112 may have one or more “home” positions closest to the rearside 106 of the drum manipulation system 10. At least one of theexemplary front and rear wheeled carriages 110, 112 is configured toselectively rotate the drum 30 (e.g. in both directions) to position thebung opening 32 as desired for removal of the bung plug 34 therefrom,filling the drum 30, installing a bung plug 34, any other desiredpurpose(s) or a combination thereof.

The wheeled carriages 110, 112 may have any suitable form, construction,configuration and operation. Referring particularly to FIG. 6 , forexample, each carriage 110, 112 may include first (outer) and second(inner) upright clamp arms 124, 126, each having at least one upperwheel 130 and at least one lower wheel 132, respectively. Whilecomponents 130, 132 are called “wheels” herein and the exemplaryembodiments show them as actual wheels in the literal sense, the term“wheel” as used herein encompasses any suitable component(s) useful forengaging and rotating or allowing rotation of the drum 30, such as agripper, roller, rotator or similar component. In the preferredembodiment, each clamp arm 124, 126 is selectively independently movableinwardly and outwardly relative to the drum 30 at the first station 118between at least first and second positions. In at least one first(home) position, the respective illustrated clamp arm 124, 126 will beout of the path of any drums 30 on the drum conveyor 88. In a least onesecond (engaged) position, one of more of the wheels 130, 132 of therespective illustrated clamp arm 124, 126 should contact (engage) thedrum 30 at the first station 118.

The exemplary clamp arms 124, 126 may be movable between positions inany suitable manner. For example, each respective pair of illustratedclamp arms 124, 126 is selectively pivotable within a desired arc aroundand relative to a pivot pin, or rod, 114 or other component(s) betweenpositions. Preferably, a distinct, selectively controllable driver 44(e.g. pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder) is configured to be selectivelyactuated, such as by signal from the controller 12, to pivot acorresponding clamp arm 124, 126 between positions within a desiredrange of motion.

However, any other arrangement of components and techniques may be usedto rotate the drum 30. For example, each clamp arm 124, 126 may haveonly one, or more than two (e.g. three, four, five, etc.), wheels 130,132 and/or may be moveable in another manner (e.g. linearly) betweenpositions. Moreover, each carriage 110, 112 may include only one, ormore than two (e.g. three, four, five, etc.) clamp arms 124, 126 or maynot include any clamp arms 124, 126. Thus, the details of theconstruction and operation of the carriages 110, 112 and clamp arms 124,126 are in no way limiting upon the present disclosure or appendedclaims, except and only to the extent as may be expressly recited andexplicitly required in a particular claim hereof and only for suchclaim(s) and any claim(s) depending therefrom.

Referring again to FIGS. 1A-2 , in some embodiments, before, at or afterthe arrival of a drum 30 at the first station 118, the inner clamp arm126 of at least one of the wheeled carriages 110, 112 may be initiallymoved inwardly relative to or over the drum conveyor 88 until one ormore of the wheels 130, 132 thereon engages the drum 30 at the firststation 118. For example, the inner clamp arm 126 of both wheeledcarriages 110, 112 may initially be pivoted inwardly into an engagedposition as the drum 30 moves toward them from the entrance end 100 ofthe drum manipulation system 10 on the drum conveyor 88 and stops uponcontacting one or more (e.g. all four) of the wheels 130, 132 thereon.Thus, in such embodiments, the stopping of the drum conveyor 88 to stopmovement of the drum 30 at the first station 118 may be generallysynchronized, or concurrent, with the drum 30 contacting the wheels 130,132 of the inner clamp arms 126. However, in other embodiments, anydesired number of wheels 130, 132 of only one inner clamp arm 126 or oneor both outer clamp arms 124, 126 may initially engage the drum 30, orany other combination of wheels 130, 132 of clamp arms 124 and/or 126 orsequence may be used.

In the preferred embodiment, after the wheels 130, 132 of the innerclamp arms 126 engage the drum 30 and the drum 30 stops moving on thedrum conveyor 88, an exemplary rotation platform 94 is raised up tosupport the drum 30 and lift it off the drum conveyor 88. When included,the rotation platform 94 may have any suitable form, configuration andoperation. For example, the rotation platform 94 may be used to supportthe drum 30 (off the drum conveyor 88) while the drum 30 is rotated,include a non-metallic plate (e.g. plastic) to avoid causing sparksduring rotation of the drums 30, avoid causing wear to the drum conveyor88 (e.g. chains 92 a, 92 b) during rotation of the drum 30, avoid theproduction of metal shavings due to metal-on-metal friction duringrotation of the drum 30, for any other purpose(s) or a combinationthereof. In other embodiments, a different mechanism may be used to liftthe drum 30 or the drum 30 may not be lifted.

Still referring to FIGS. 1A-2 , in the preferred embodiment, after thedrum 30 is lifted and before it is rotated, the outer clamp arm 124 ofat least one of the wheeled carriages 110, 112 can be pivoted inwardlyrelative to the drum 30 into an engaged position until one or more (e.g.both) of their respective wheels 130, 132 contacts the drum 30. Forexample, the outer clamp arms 124 of both carriages 110, 112 may bemoved into an engaged position so that all of their wheels 130, 132contact the drum 30 prior to rotation. Thus, in this embodiment, thewheeled carriages 110, 112 provide a total of up to four points ofrotational contact with and around the drum 30 at two different heightson the drum 30 to help secure the desired vertical upright position ofthe drum, provide effective rotation of the drum (e.g. to help avoidlosing a grip on the drum 30 or ability to rotate the drum 30, avoiddrum slippage or shifting), provide improved precision and control ofrotation of the drum 30 (e.g. stopping rotation at a precise position ofthe drum 30, slowing rotation in either direction, controlled speed ofrotation), for any other purpose(s) or a combination thereof. However,in other embodiments, any combination of the clamp arms 124, 126 of thewheeled carriages 110, 112 may be moved into engagement or contact withthe drum 30 in any order and at any desired time. For example, both ofthe clamp arms 124, 126 of both wheeled carriages 110, 112 may be movedinto engaged positions simultaneously.

If desired, the drum manipulation system 10 may be configured so thatone or more clamp arms 124, 126 of the exemplary front or rear wheeledcarriage 110, 112 are capable of adjusting the position of the drum 30on the drum conveyor 88. For example, one or more clamp arms 124, 126 ofthe exemplary front and/or rear wheeled carriages 110, 112 may (e.g. viathe associated driver(s) 44) be selectively actuated to push, or shift,the drum 30 so it is upright, centered over the rotation platform 94and/or on the drum conveyor 88 (e.g. between chains 92 a, 92 b of thechain conveyor 90), for any other purpose(s) or a combination thereof.

Still referring to FIGS. 1A-2 , when the drum 30 at the exemplary firststation 118 is ready to be rotated, it may be rotated in any suitablemanner. For example, at least one of the front and rear wheeledcarriages 110, 112 may be configured to selectively rotate the drum 30.In the preferred embodiment, at least one of the wheels 130, 132 on theexemplary front and/or rear wheeled carriages 110 is power-driven andselectively rotated to rotate the drum 30 in a desired direction and fora desired amount of rotation. For example, all four wheels 130, 132 ofthe front wheeled carriage 110 may be power-driven (e.g. FIG. 6 ), suchas by an electronically controllable motor 148 (e.g. electric VFD motor)operatively coupled thereto to selectively rotate all four wheels 130,132 and the drum 30 as desired (e.g. in both directions) to provideenhanced rotational effectiveness (e.g. avoid losing grip on the drum 30or ability to rotate the drum 30, avoid drum slippage or shifting),improved precision and control of rotation of the drum 30 (e.g. stoppingrotation at a precise position of the drum 30, slowing rotation ineither direction, controlled speed of rotation), for any otherpurpose(s) or a combination thereof. Thus, the exemplary front wheeledcarriage 110 represents the powered side of the illustrated drum rotator20 and the rear wheeled carriage 112 is the non-powered side. Thenon-powered wheels 130, 132 of the exemplary drum rotator 20 arefree-spinning, such as to assist in or allow rotation of the drum 30,for any other suitable purpose(s) or a combination thereof. However, inother embodiments, a distinct motor 148, or other form of driver, may beused to drive one, two or three of the wheels 130, 132 of the frontand/or rear wheeled carriage 110, 112 (e.g. one driver for each wheel130, 132). Moreover, more or fewer of the wheels 130, 132 on the frontwheeled carriage 110 and/or rear wheeled carriage 112 may be selectivelyrotated to rotate the drum 30. Thus, any suitable component(s) may beused to rotate any combination of the wheels 130, 132 (or othercomponents) of the carriages 110, 112 in order to rotate the drum 30, orthe drum 30 may be rotated in a different manner (e.g. by rotating therotation platform 94 or otherwise). Further, the components andtechnique for rotating the drum 30 are in no way limiting upon thepresent disclosure or appended claims, except and only to the extent asmay be expressly recited and explicitly required in a particular claimhereof and only for such claim(s) and any claim(s) depending therefrom.

Still referring to FIGS. 1A-2 , in the preferred embodiment, thecontroller 12 directs operation of all of the drivers 44 (to selectivelydirect movement of the clamp arms 124, 126) and the motor 148 (toselectively rotate and stop rotation of the drum 30). However, in otherembodiments, the motor 148 and/or one or more drivers 44 may becontrolled by any other components (e.g. sensors) or directly by anoperator. If desired, one or both of the exemplary carriages 110, 112 orone or more components thereof may be selectively adjustable (e.g. bythe controller 12, manually, etc.) to accommodate different sizes andtypes of drums 30, for any other purpose(s) or a combination thereof.For example, the positions, or range of motion, of any of the clamp arms124, 126 may be adjustable, the spacing between the clamp arms 124, 126may be adjustable, the height of the wheels 130, 132, and/or spacingbetween wheels 130, 132 may be adjustable or a combination thereof.Furthermore, one or more components (e.g. the motor 148) of the drumrotator 20 may be selectively controllable (e.g. via the controller 12and/or one or more operators) to control the timing, direction, speedand amount of rotation of the drum 30, or a combination thereof.

The exemplary drum rotator 20 provides one or more advantages. In someembodiments of the drum rotator 20, the use of a total of eight wheels(e.g. four upper wheels 130 and four lower wheels 132), allows for morepoints of contract with the drum 30 and more effective and reliable drumrotation as compared to other drum rotation systems having fewer wheels.For example, when one or more wheels encounters an uneven outer surface(dents, concave portions) of the drum 30, the wheel could becomeineffective at rotating the drum 30 and the drum 30 could stop or slip.In some embodiments of the drum rotator 20, the use of fourindependently moving clamp arms 124, 126 provides for improvedengagement with and positioning of the drum 30 because each clamp arm124, 126 can independently engage the drum 30. One or more of the clamparms 124, 126 can be used to move or push the drum 30 into properengagement with other clamp arms 124, 126 and/or center, or position,the drum 30 in the precise desired location (e.g. within 1/32″ or moreor less). For another example, the use of all (e.g. four) four wheels130, 132 of the front wheeled carriage 110 as power-driven wheels mayprovide for more reliable rotation of the drum 30 (e.g. less chance forslippage) and better speed control of drum rotation (e.g. to ramp upand/or down the speed of rotation).

Referring again to FIGS. 1A-2 , as the drum 30 is rotated, the exemplarybung locator 40 is configured to locate at least one bung opening 32formed in an upper surface, or top, 36 (e.g. FIG. 3 ) of the drum 30(and/or a bung plug 34 therein), position the bung opening 32 (and/orbung plug 34 therein) as desired for further operations or both. Forexample, the bung locator 40 may be selectively positioned at leastpartially over the top 36 of the drum 30 as the drum 30 is rotated (e.g.FIGS. 9-16 ). In various embodiments, the bung locator 40 may beinitially positioned at a desired location over the top 36 of the drum30 or shuttled or moved into (and out of) a desired position, or thedrum 30 may be moved relative to the bung locator 40. When the bunglocator 40 is moved relative to the drum 30, any suitable components andtechnique may be used. For example, one or more drivers 46 may beoperatively coupled to the bung locator 40 (e.g. via one or more bracketmounts 42, FIG. 7 ) for selectively shuttling the bung locator 40 in oneor more linear, arc-like, angular or other paths back and forth betweenat least one “home” position (away from the drum 30) and at least one“operating” position (proximate to the drum 30). In a preferred “home”position, the exemplary bung locator 40 is sufficiently clear of thedrum 30 to allow one or more other components (e.g. bung plug extractor50) to be shuttled into position over the drum 30, to allow the drum 30to be moved to a different location, for any other desired purpose(s) ora combination thereof. In a preferred “operating” position, theexemplary bung locator 40 is positioned so that when the bung opening 32(and/or bung plug 34 therein) of the rotating drum 30 is at a particularposition below it (e.g. FIGS. 14-16 ), the drum 30 will be in thedesired position for further operations, such as bung plug 34 removal,bung plug 34 installation, drum filling, testing, other operation(s) orpurpose(s) or a combination thereof. In the preferred embodiment, thebung locator 40 is moved into the preferred operating position duringrotation of the drum 30, but could instead be moved before rotation ofthe drum 30.

Still referring to FIGS. 1A-2 , in the preferred embodiment, the bunglocator 40 is moveable between home and operating positions by a firstdriver 46 a (e.g. linear pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder) in a linearpath sideways (e.g. horizontally) relative to the drum 30 and a seconddriver 46 b (e.g. linear pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder, FIG. 1C) in alinear path up and down relative to the drum 30. The exemplary drivers46 are preferably electronically coupled to and controlled by theelectronic controller 12. For example, the bung locator 40 may be movedfrom one or more preferred “home” positions first in a horizontal pathtoward the drum 30 by actuation of the first driver 46 a and then in avertical path down to one or more preferred “operating” positions byactuation of the second driver 46 b. It should be noted that theopposite sequence could instead be used. Further, the same technique andcomponents may be used when it is desired to move the exemplary bunglocator 40 away from the drum 30 but in the opposite order or direction(e.g. after locating and positioning the bung opening 32 or at any otherdesired time). Also, a similar arrangement of parts and techniques canbe used to shuttle other components (e.g. the exemplary bung plugextractor 50 and bung plug installer 60) toward and away from the drum30 as desired. However, in other embodiments, the bung locator 40 (bungplug extractor 50 and bung plug installer 60) may be moveable toward andaway from the drum 30 in any other desired manner, along only a singlepath or one or more non-linear paths (e.g. an arc-like motion or angularmotion), with the use of any other form or combination of driver(s) orother components controlled by the controller 12, other component(s)(e.g. sensor(s)), one or more operators or a combination thereof. Thus,the details, nature and characteristics of components used forshuttling, or moving, the bung locator 40 (bung plug extractor 50 andbung plug installer 60) are not limiting upon the present disclosure andappended claims, except and only to the extent as may be expresslyrecited and explicitly required in a particular claim hereof and onlyfor such claim(s) and any claims depending therefrom.

The bung locator 40, such as shown in FIGS. 7-16 , may have any suitableform, configuration, components and operation and may locate the bungopening 32 (and/or bung plug 34) in any suitable manner. Referringparticularly to FIGS. 7, 8 & 13 , preferably, the bung locator 40includes a carrier 150 that houses at least one bung location sensor 154configured to sense the location of the bung opening 32 (or bung plug 34therein) beneath it. For example, referring to FIG. 13 , the carrier 150may carry first and second downwardly facing, fiber optics sensors 154a, 154 b, which are spaced-apart the same distance as the distancebetween opposing edges 35 a, 35 b of an upwardly protruding (e.g. outer)lip 35 of the bung opening 32 or, in some instances, opposing edges 37(e.g. FIG. 4 ) of the bung plug 34. However, any number (e.g. 1, 3, 4,etc.) of any type of bung location sensors 154 may be used in anydesired configuration and with or without the use of a carrier 150.

Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8 , the carrier 150, when included, may haveany suitable form, configuration and operation. In the preferredembodiment, the carrier 150 includes a main body 166 having a respectiveorifice, or slot, 167 formed therein for each bung location sensor 154and that allows light beams to pass between the corresponding bunglocation sensor 154 and the top 36 of the drum 30 (e.g. FIG. 13 ). Forexample, the illustrated main body 166 is a generally rigid (e.g.metal), horizontally-extending plate, but could have any other form andconfiguration. If desired, the carrier 150 may include one or morestabilizing members 152 to add rigidity to the main body 166, helpmaintain the desired position of the bung location sensor(s) 154, forany other suitable purpose(s) or a combination thereof. For example, theillustrated embodiment shows a first stabilizing member 152 a in theform of a generally rigid (e.g. metal) plate extending upwardly from thetop and across substantially the entire length of the main body 166, anda second stabilizing member 152 b in the form of a generally rigid (e.g.metal) plate extending upwardly between the top of the main body 166 anda mounting plate 153 coupled to or integral with the main body 166.However, the stabilizing member(s) 152, when included, may have anyother suitable form, configuration and location.

In some embodiments, one or more sensor guards 156 may be providedproximate to the bung location sensors 154 to assist in shielding themfrom damage due to inadvertent contact with other items, for any otherpurpose(s) or a combination thereof. The sensor guards 156 may have anysuitable form, configuration and operation. For example, the sensorguard(s) 156 may protect the bung location sensors 154 from contact withtools or other items left on the top 36 of the drum 30, which coulddamage or destroy the sensors 154 as the drum 30 is rotated under thebung locator 40. In the preferred embodiment, the bung locator 40includes a single sensor guard 156 affixed to the bottom of the mainbody 166, such as with releasable connectors 157 (e.g. screws, bolts,pins, etc.), and extending at least partially around the bung locationsensors 154. The exemplary sensor guard 156 is shown having a slot 155into, or through, which the bung location sensors 154 extend or projectlight. The sensor guards 154 may also be constructed of any suitablematerial, such as durable and/or lightweight material (e.g. plastic,aluminum). In other embodiments, the sensor guard(s) 156, when included,may be integral with the carrier 150 (or other component), includemultiple parts or have any other form, configuration, operation andfunction.

Any suitable “operating position” of the bung locator 40 may be used. Invarious embodiments, the bung locator 40 is configured to ride on theouter rim, or chime, 31 (or other part) of the drum 30 (e.g. FIGS. 9-12) to assist in accurately positioning the carrier 150 and/or bunglocation sensor(s) 154 carried thereby in one or more operatingpositions over the drum 30 as desired and/or for any other purposes. Forexample, as shown in FIGS. 7 & 8 , the carrier 150 may include one ormore feet 162 configured to rest (and ride) upon the outer rim 31 of thedrum 30 after the bung locator 40 is lowered into the desired positionover the drum 30. In the preferred embodiment, the main body 166 of thecarrier 150 includes at least first and second spaced-apart feet 162 a,162 b (e.g. plastic shoes) extending downwardly from the main body 166.For example, the feet 162 a, 162 b may be (i) releasably rigidly coupled(e.g. with bolts, pins or the like) to the main body 166 (e.g. at orproximate to the respective ends 166 a, 166 b thereof) or integraltherewith, (ii) configured to rest and ride upon the outer rim 31 (e.g.FIGS. 9-11, 14 ), or another part, of the drum 30, (iii) spaced adesired distance Di (e.g. FIG. 15 ) radially outwardly relative to thebung location sensors 154, (iv) formed with a desired height Hi (e.g.FIG. 15 ) to accurately position the bung location sensors 154 over thebung opening 32 (and/or bung plug 34) of the rotating drum 30, or acombination thereof.

Still referring to FIGS. 7 & 8 , if desired, the carrier 150 may beconfigured to effectively float, or be spring-biased downwardly, on theouter rim 31 (or other part) of the drum 30 to allow it to engage drums30 having (or at) different heights, accommodate misalignment of thebung locator 40, accommodate misalignment or imperfections of the drum30 or misalignment of its position as the drum rotates, avoid jamming ordamaging the bung locator 40 or disrupting operations, for any otherpurpose(s) or a combination thereof. This may be accomplished in anysuitable manner. In the preferred embodiment, the carrier 150effectively floats via one or more linear bearings 170 rigidly coupledthereto and movable on an upright linear bearing rail 172 (e.g. mountedto bracket mount 42). For examples, FIG. 16 shows the exemplary carrier150 of FIG. 15 after being lowered down into an operating position (withits feet 162 riding on the outer rim 31 of the drum 30) and floating upon the linear bearing rail 172 via the linear bearing 170. However, anyother suitable components (e.g. springs, flexible members, shockabsorbers, etc.) and techniques may be used to float or spring-bias thecarrier 150 downwardly relative to the drum 30 and/or provide one ormore operating positions of the bung locator 40. Further, the bunglocator 40 may have any other suitable form configuration, componentsand operation. For example, the bung locator 40 may, in someembodiments, ride on the top 36 of the drum 30 (instead of the outer rim31).

Referring now to FIGS. 7 & 13 , the bung location sensors 154 may haveany suitable form, configuration and operation. In the preferredembodiment, light beams are projected down through the exemplary fiberoptics sensors 154 a, 154 b to the top 36 of the drum 30 and reflectedup from the drum 30 through the sensors 154 a, 154 b to determine thepresence of the bung opening 32 (or bung plug 34) at the desiredlocation below the bung locator 40. This may be performed in anysuitable manner. For example, one or more optic amplifiers 158 (and/oror other suitable components) may be associated with or coupled to theexemplary sensors 154 a, 154 b (e.g. with wires 160) to (i) cause one ormore (e.g. red) light signals to project down through each sensor 154 a,154 b onto the top 36 of the rotating drum 30, (ii) receive lightsignal(s) reflected up off the top 36 the drum 30 through the sensors154 a, 154 b, (iii) determine when reflected light signals receivedthrough both sensors 154 a, 154 b indicate the sensors 154 a, 154 b aresimultaneously positioned over respective opposing edges 35 a, 35 b ofthe lip 35 of the bung opening 32 (or similar edges of the bung plug 34)(e.g. based upon amplitude and/or intensity of the reflected lightsignals), (iv) signal the electronic controller 12 (other component oroperator) to cease rotation of the drum 30, for any other purpose(s) ora combination thereof. However, other embodiments may include only oneor more than two (e.g. three, four, etc.) bung location sensors 154 orother components for determining the position of the bung opening 32(and/or bung plug 34). Further, any other types, or combinations oftypes, of bung location sensors 154 may be used (e.g. electronicproximity sensors, inductive sensors, image sensors (e.g. cameras)).Moreover, the bung location sensors 154 may communicate with theelectronic controller 12, motor 148 (e.g. FIG. 1A) other component orone or more operators (e.g. without the use of an optic amplifier 158)directly or through one or more other component(s)).

In accordance with various embodiments of the drum manipulation system10, the bung locator 40 may provide one or more advantages. For example,by engaging the chime 31 instead of the top 36 of the drum 30, variousembodiments of the bung locator 40 will avoid scratching, creating wearmarks or other visual impairments to the top 36 of the drum 30. Incontrast, the chime 31 of many versions of drums 30 is intended to bescratched, nicked, etc. For another example, the bung locator 40 may belightweight and engage the drum 30 with minimal friction, improving thelongevity of and reducing the occurrence of wear to the bung locator 40(e.g. feet 162) and the part of the drum 30 (e.g. chime 31) engagedthereby. In the preferred embodiment, the main body 166 and stabilizingmembers 152 of the carrier 150 are constructed of lightweight aluminumplates, the bung location sensors 154 are lightweight and the sensorguards 156 are lightweight plastic. For yet another example, the bunglocator 40 may be easily assembled and repaired, constructed with few orno moving or mechanical parts, have minimal parts that couldmalfunction, wear or become damaged or a combination thereof. For stilla further example, the embodiments of the bung locator 40 not havingcomponents (e.g. wheels) that ride across the top 36 of the drum 30,will not pick up dirt, debris, liquid and like from the top 36 of thedrum 30 and become damaged or clogged thereby and/or malfunction.

Referring back to FIGS. 1A-2 , in the preferred embodiment, after thedesired rotation of the drum 30 and positioning of bung opening 32and/or bung plug 34, the exemplary bung locator 40 may be selectivelyshuttled, or moved, away from the drum 30. For example, the bung locator40 may be moved back to one or more home positions, such as in the sameor similar manner described above (e.g. in the reverse order). If thedrum 30 was previously raised up off the drum conveyor 88, it may belowered back down onto the drum conveyor 88. In the preferredembodiment, the exemplary rotation platform 94 is lowered to set thedrum 30 back down on the drum conveyor 88. However, there may beinstances or embodiments in which the drum 30 remains in a raisedposition, is not lowered down onto the drum conveyor 88, is moved to adifferent location or a combination thereof.

The exemplary bung plug extractor 50 (e.g. FIGS. 17A-33 ) will now bedescribed. Referring to FIGS. 1A-2 , to remove a bung plug 34 from thedrum 30 with the drum manipulation system 10, such as after the bungopening 32 has been suitably positioned, the exemplary bung plugextractor 50 may be shuttled, or moved, into position relative to thedrum 30, the drum 30 may be moved in a desired position relative to thebung plug extractor 50, any other technique may be used to position thebung plug extractor 50 or a combination thereof. For example, the bungplug extractor 50 may be moved from at least one “home” position (e.g.away from the drum 30, similar to the home position of the exemplarybung locator 40 as described above) to an “operating” position overand/or in contact with the drum 30 (e.g. FIGS. 22-25 ). In suchinstances, the bung plug extractor 50 may be selectively moveablerelative to the drum 30 in any suitable manner. For example, one or moredrivers 46 may be operatively coupled to the bung plug extractor 50 and,if desired, electronically coupled to electronic controller 12, forselectively moving the bung plug extractor 50 in one or more linear,arc-like and/or angular paths back and forth between positions,similarly as described above with respect to the movement of theexemplary bung locator 40. In the preferred embodiment, the bung plugextractor 50 is moveable between home and operating positions by thefirst driver 46 a (e.g. linear pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder; FIG. 1C)in a first linear path sideways (e.g. horizontally) toward the drum 30and then by the second driver 46 b (e.g. linear pneumatic or hydrauliccylinder) in a linear vertical path down to the drum 30. However, inother embodiments, the bung plug extractor 50 may be moveable toward andaway from the drum 30 in any other desired manner, along a single pathor one or more non-linear paths (e.g. an arc-like motion, angularmotion, etc.), with the use of any other form or combination ofdriver(s) or other components controlled by the controller 12, othercomponent(s) (e.g. sensor(s)) or one or more operators, or a combinationthereof.

The bung plug extractor 50 may have any suitable form, configuration,components and operation. Referring to FIGS. 17A-18 , in the preferredembodiment, for example, the bung plug extractor 50 includes a bung plugengagement tool 184, a centering assembly 180 and a frame, or carrier,200. The exemplary bung plug engagement tool 184 is useful to disconnectthe bung plug 34 from the drum 30, the illustrated centering assembly180 is useful to assist in centering the bung plug engagement tool 184over the bung opening 32 and the carrier 200 carries the centeringassembly 180 and bung plug engagement tool 184. However, thesecomponents may have one or more additional or different purposes, or acombination thereof. Further, one or more of these components may becombined and some embodiments may include only one or two of thesecomponents or additional components.

Referring still to FIGS. 17A-18 , the carrier 200 may have any suitableform, configuration, components and operation for carrying the centeringassembly 180 and bung plug engagement tool 184. In many embodiments, thecarrier 200 includes at least one outer spring support rod, or linearbearing shaft, 238 engaged between at least one upper plate 239 and atleast one lower plate 260. In such embodiments, at least one outerspring 236 (e.g. coil spring, helical compression spring) extends aroundeach respective rod 238 and biases at least one exemplary floating plate254 downwardly on the spring support rod(s) 238 toward and relative tothe lower plate 260. However, the components of the carrier 200 may varyin form from such embodiments. For example, any of the plates 239, 254,260 may not be plates per say, but instead be in any other desired formand may be comprised of multiple parts. Moreover, the carrier 200 mayinclude only some of these components and/or may have additional ordifferent components and functions. Thus, the form, components,configuration and operation of the carrier 200 are in no way limitingupon the present disclosure or appended claims, except and only to theextent as may be expressly recited and explicitly required in aparticular claim hereof and only for such claim(s) and any claim(s)depending therefrom.

When included, the bung plug engagement tool 184 may have any suitableform, configuration, components and operation for assisting indisconnecting the bung plug 34 from the drum 30. For example, referringto FIGS. 18-20 , the bung plug engagement tool 184 may include at leastone bung plug mating portion, or wrench, 192 disposed at its lower endand configured to engage the bung plug 34 (e.g. FIG. 26 ) and disconnectit from the drum 30, and at least one guide 196 extending upwardly fromthe mating portion 192. The mating portion(s) 192 may have any suitableform, configuration, components and operation. In instances in which thebung plug 34 is threadably engaged with the drum 30 (e.g. rotatedclockwise for engagement and counterclockwise for removal), the matingportion 192 may be used to rotate the bung plug 34 in any suitablemanner. For example, the mating portion 192 may include at least one tab194 extending (e.g. downwardly) therefrom and configured to engage andfacilitate rotation of the bung plug 34.

The tab(s) 194 may have any suitable form, configuration and operation.In the preferred embodiment, the mating portion 192 includes first andsecond tabs 194 each engageable with a distinct protrusion 38 (e.g. FIG.26 ) extending (e.g. upwardly) from the bung plug 34. For example, thefirst and second tabs 194 may be configured to be moved into abuttingcontact with the respective protrusions 38 of the bung plug 34 (e.g.metallic bung plug 34 a, FIG. 4 ) to push them in a rotational path torotate the bung plug 34. In other embodiments, the mating portion 192may include only one, or more than two, tabs 194 as necessary (e.g.depending upon the configuration of the bung plug 34). For example, thebung plug engagement tool 184 may have four tabs 194 that engage fourrespective protrusions 38 of bung plug 34 (e.g. plastic bung plug 34 b,FIG. 5 ). If desired, at least one (e.g. inner) edge 194 a of each tab194 may be tapered, such as to properly register with, or engage, thebung plug 34 (e.g. plastic bung plug 34 b) and/or for any other desiredpurpose(s).

In other embodiments, the tab(s) 194 (or other components) of the matingportion 192 may instead physically or mechanically mate with, grip orotherwise engage the bung plug 34 to facilitate engagement with the bungplug 34 (e.g. for disconnection from or installation in the drum 30).For example, if the bung plug 34 includes one or more socket-likerecesses having a particular cross-sectional shape (e.g. square,hexagonal, octagonal, rectangular, slotted, etc.), the mating portion192 of the bung plug engagement tool 184 may include one or more tabs194 in the form of a bit, pin, blade, spade, etc. (e.g. having acomplimentary cross-sectional shape, such as square, hexagonal,rectangular, octagonal, etc.) that are insertable into the socket-likerecess(es) of the bung plug 34. For another example, if the bung plug 34includes one or more protrusions 38 (e.g. bolt heads, bits, pins,blades, spades, etc.) having a particular cross-sectional shape (e.g.square, hexagonal, octagonal, rectangular, etc.), the mating portion 192of the bung plug engagement tool 184 may include one or more socket-likerecesses having a complimentary cross-sectional shape and beingengageable around the corresponding protrusion(s) 38. For still furtherexamples, the mating portion 192 may instead or also include one or moreclips, claws, grippers, suction members or the like for engaging thebung plug 34 (e.g. for disconnection from or installation in the drum30).

Still referring to FIGS. 18-20 , the guide(s) 196, when included as partof the bung plug engagement tool 184, may have any suitable form,configuration, components and operation. For example, the guide 196 maybe an elongated control rod 198 coupled to or integral with the matingportion 192 and configured to assist in moving the mating portion 192 asdesired to disconnect the bung plug 34. In the preferred embodiment, theguide 196 includes a mounting plate 202 (e.g. coupled thereto by weldand/or shrink-fitting) to which the mating portion 192 is mounted.

In embodiments configured to disconnect a rotatable bung plug 34 fromthe drum 30, the exemplary guide 196 may be secured to, or integralwith, the mating portion 192 and selectively rotatable to rotate themating portion 192. For example, the exemplary guide 196 may beoperatively coupled to a driver 204 (FIG. 17A) for selective concurrentrotation of the guide 196 and mating portion 192 in either direction(e.g. counterclockwise for unscrewing the bung plug 34 and clockwise forinstalling the bung plug 34). As the preferred bung plug engagement tool184 is rotated during normal operating conditions, sufficient rotationalpressure and/or torque should be applied by the mating portion 192 tothe bung plug 34 (e.g. FIG. 27 ) to unscrew it from the drum 30. If theexemplary guide 196 and mating portion 192 are not integrally formed,they should preferably be sufficiently rigidly coupled together toensure they withstand the expected forces applied thereto duringrotation of the bung plug 34. For example, the mating portion 192 may bereleasably rigidly coupled to the guide 196 (e.g. via mounting plate202) with one or more (e.g. two) pins 199 (or other connectors) toprovide the desired rigid connection, for any other purpose(s) or acombination thereof. However, the mating portion 192 and guide 196 mayinclude any other arrangement of components and configuration. Forexample, if the mating portion 192 is configured to grip the bung plug34, the guide 196 may include an actuator (e.g. handle, trigger,up-and-down sliding member(s), etc.) to move the mating portion 192 intoand out of gripping engagement with the bung plug 34.

Referring to FIGS. 19 & 20 , in some embodiments, the bung plugengagement tool 184 (or one or more portions thereof) may be removablefrom the drum manipulation system 10, such as to switch out match themating portion 192 with the particular type of bung plug 34 beingremoved or drum 30 being serviced, for maintenance, repair orreplacement, for any other purpose(s) or a combination thereof. Forexample, the bung plug mating portion 192 may comprise a bung plugengagement plate 195 that is releasable from the bung plug engagementtool 184 via the pins 199 (e.g. dowel pins) or other releasableconnectors. In some embodiments, it may be required or desirable to usea mating portion 192 (e.g. engagement plate 195) that is constructed atleast partially of non-spark material (e.g. bronze), such as whenfilling the drum with flammable fluid or materials. Thus, a typicalmetallic mating portion 192 may be switched out and replaced with anon-spark version as desired. However, the bung plug engagement tool 184may have any other configuration of components and operation. Thus, thedetails, nature and characteristics of the bung plug engagement tool 184are not limiting upon the present disclosure and appended claims, exceptand only to the extent as may be expressly recited and explicitlyrequired in a particular claim hereof and only for such claim(s) and anyclaims depending therefrom.

Referring now to FIGS. 17A-18 , when included, the driver 204 foractuating the exemplary guide 196 of the bung plug engagement tool 184may have any suitable form, configuration and operation. In manyembodiments, the driver 204 is an air motor 206 having a rotatable shaft208 operatively coupled to the upper end of the guide 196 and configuredto rotate it. However, any other forms of the driver(s) 204 (e.g.pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder, servo-motor, etc.) may be used foractuating the guide 196. The exemplary driver 204 is controlled by theelectronic controller 12, but may be controlled by any othercomponent(s), one or more operators or a combination thereof.

If desired, one or more flexible couplers 212 may be coupled between thedriver 204 (e.g. air motor 206) and the guide 196 to help facilitateselective movement of the guide 196, provide flexibility in engaging thebung plug engagement tool 184 with the bung plug 34, help avoid jammingor damaging the bung plug 34, the bung plug engagement tool 184 or othercomponents and/or disrupting operations during engagement andpositioning of the bung plug engagement tool 184, for any otherpurpose(s) or a combination thereof. When included, the flexiblecoupler(s) 212 may have any suitable form, configuration and operation.For example, the flexible coupler 212 may include one or more universaljoints 214 disposed between the driver 204 and the guide 196. In thepreferred embodiment, the flexible coupler 212 includes a universaljoint 214 having an upper link 215 for engaging the shaft 208 of thedriver 204 and a lower link 216 for engaging the guide 196 (e.g. controlrod 198). The illustrated universal joint 214 may be configured, forexample, to allow the guide 196 the ability to “flex”, or pivot, around360° up to approximately ¼″ displacement relative to the vertical axis220 of the bung plug extractor 50 and/or the drum 30. If desired, theupper end 196 a (e.g. FIG. 17C) of the guide 196 may be slideable up anddown within a bore 213 of the flexible coupler 212 in a limited range ofmotion to allow some limited up-and-down movement of the guide 196relative thereto and to the drum 30. However, other embodiments mayinvolve the use of one or more flexible couplers 212 (e.g. universaljoints 214) or other components that allow the guide 196 to move in arange of motion less than 360° and/or more or less than ¼″ displacement(e.g. ⅛″, ½″, ¾″, 1″, etc.), or do not allow flexing or up-and-downmovement of the guide 196 relative to the coupler 212. Moreover, theflexible coupler(s) 212, when included, may have any other suitable formand operation. Thus, the details, nature and characteristics of theflexible coupler(s) 212 are not limiting upon the present disclosure andappended claims, except and only to the extent as may be expresslyrecited and explicitly required in a particular claim hereof and onlyfor such claim(s) and any claims depending therefrom.

Referring still to FIGS. 17A-18 , the centering assembly 180, whenincluded in the bung plug extractor 50, may have any suitable form,configuration, components and operation to assist in centering the bungplug engagement tool 184 over the bung opening 32 (e.g. FIG. 26 ). Forexample, the centering assembly 180 may include a centering collar 228configured to at least partially surround the mating portion 192 of thebung plug engagement tool 184 and assist in positioning the bung plugengagement tool 184 over the bung plug 34 as desired. In the preferredembodiment, the mating portion 192 is essentially nested within thecentering assembly 180 and the centering collar 228 substantially orentirely surrounds the mating portion 192 and is configured to rest atleast partially upon, or engage, the lip 35 of the bung opening 32 (e.g.FIG. 26 ). When the exemplary centering collar 228 engages the lip 35around the circumference of the bung opening 32 during normal operatingconditions, the bung plug engagement tool 184 should typically beproperly (e.g. perfectly) aligned over the bung plug 34 fordisconnecting it from the drum 30.

Referring now to FIGS. 18 & 26 , if desired, the centering collar 228may be configured to sit substantially perfectly flat on the lip 35 ofthe bung opening 32 (or other part of the drum), form a partial,substantial or entire fluid-tight seal around the bung opening 32 (e.g.with the lip 35), for any other purpose(s) or a combination thereof. Insome embodiments, the centering collar 228 may include a taper 229around its inner edge 233 and/or a ledge 231 formed inwards of the inneredge 233 to match, mate with or seat around the circumference of the lip35, such as to help the centering collar 228 sit substantially perfectlyflat on the lip 35, form a substantially or entirely fluid-tight sealwith the lip 35 around the bung opening 32, for any other purpose(s) ora combination thereof. In other embodiments, the centering collar 228may engage any other part (e.g. the top 36) of the drum 30 to achievethe same or other purpose(s). Moreover, the centering collar 228 mayhave any other configuration and operation. Thus, the details of theconstruction and operation of the centering collar 228 are in no waylimiting upon the present disclosure or appended claims, except and onlyto the extent as may be expressly recited and explicitly required in aparticular claim hereof and only for such claim(s) and any claim(s)depending therefrom.

Referring to FIGS. 26 & 27 , once the preferred bung plug engagementtool 184 and centering collar 228 are moved into engagement with thebung plug 34 and drum 30 (e.g. FIG. 26 ), respectively, the bung plugengagement tool 184 and/or centering collar 228 may be maintained insuch engagement in any suitable manner. For example, the centeringcollar 228 and/or bung plug engagement tool 184 may be spring-biased toassist in maintaining the desired engagement. In such instances, anysuitable components may be used to spring-bias the bung plug engagementtool 184 and/or centering collar 228 as desired. In the exemplaryembodiment, one or more (e.g. three) of the outer springs 236 providedownward spring-biasing forces on the centering collar 228 to assist inmaintaining its engagement (e.g. contact) with the drum 30 (e.g. lip 35)during bung plug 34 removal, and one or more (e.g. three) inner springs240 (e.g. coil spring) provide downward spring-biasing forces on thebung plug engagement tool 184 to assist in maintaining its engagement(e.g. contact) with the bung plug 34 during bung plug removal. However,in other embodiments, any other quantity and arrangement of one or moresprings, or one or more than two sets of springs, or other biasingmembers, may be used. Moreover, some embodiments may not require anysprings, biasing members and/or may include other or additionalcomponents to maintain the desired engaged relationship of the bung plugengagement tool 184 with the bung plug 34 and/or the centering collar228 with the drum 30. For example, in some embodiments, one or moredrivers (e.g. motors) may be used to retain or hold the bung plugengagement tool 184 and/or centering collar 228 in the desired engagedposition(s).

Referring now to FIGS. 18, 26 & 27 , in various embodiments, it may bedesirable to provide limited positional flexibility (e.g. angular,up-and-down, etc.) of the centering collar 228 and/or bung plugengagement tool 184 relative to the drum 30 while seating the centeringcollar 228 on the drum 30 and/or bung plug engagement tool 184 on thebung plug 34. This may be desirable, for example, to allow precision inproperly aligning and seating the centering collar 228 and/or bung plugengagement tool 184 to (i) improve performance of the drum manipulationsystem 10 (e.g. bung plug removal and installation) and/or efficiencyand effectiveness of operations, (ii) assist in preventing the centeringcollar 228 and/or the bung plug engagement tool 184 from undesirablyhitting or contacting the drum 30 or bung plug 34 and any resultingbinding, jamming or damaging of components or disruption of operations,(iii) allow proper seating of the centering collar 228 and/or bung plugengagement tool 184 in imperfect situations (e.g. the drum 30 is notperfectly upright, the top 36 of the drum 30 is not perfectlyhorizontally-oriented or flat, the drum 30 or bung plug extractor 50 ismisaligned, the drum 30 inadvertently slid or shifted position duringlowering onto the drum conveyor 88), for any other purpose(s) or acombination thereof. Any suitable components may be used to allowpositional flexibility of the centering collar 228 and/or bung plugengagement tool 184 relative to the drum 30. For example, the centeringcollar 228 and/or the bung plug engagement tool 184 may be provided withupward (or up-and-down) positional flexibility relative to the drum 30.In the preferred embodiment, the (e.g. three or more or less) outerspring(s) 236 acting upon the centering collar 228 allow limitedup-and-down movement of the centering collar 228 relative to the drum30, and the exemplary (e.g. three or more or less) inner spring(s) 240acting upon the bung plug engagement tool 184 allow limited up-and-downmovement thereof relative to the drum 30 (and centering collar 228).However, any other configuration of components (elastic members, shockabsorbers, bearings, etc.) may be used to provide upward positionalflexibility of the centering collar 228 and/or bung plug engagement tool184, if this feature is included.

Still referring to FIGS. 18, 26 & 27 , in some embodiments, the drummanipulation system 10 may be configured to limit the up and/or downmovement of the centering collar 228 and/or the bung plug engagementtool 184 relative to other components. For example, while the upper end196 a of the exemplary guide 196 of the bung plug engagement tool 184 ismoveable up and down within the bore 213 of the flexible coupler 212,the guide 196 may include a ledge 197 (or other feature) thatshoulders-up against, or contacts, the lower end 217 (or other part) ofthe flexible coupler 212 to limit upward movement of the guide 196 anddefine its uppermost position relative to various other components. Inthe embodiment of FIG. 27 , the ledge 197 of the guide 196 is shown(almost) in contact with the lower end 217 of the exemplary coupler 212.However, other embodiments may include a different mechanism to limitthe upward (or downward) movement of the bung plug engagement tool 184and/or the centering collar 228. For example, the upper end of the guide196 may contact one or more transverse surfaces (e.g. the wall definingthe upper end of the bore 213) of the flexible coupler 212.

For another example of positional flexibility, the centering collar 228and/or bung plug engagement tool 184 may be provided with angularpositional flexibility relative to the drum 30, such as to allowre-centering and/or proper alignment or seating of the centering collar228 and/or bung plug engagement tool 184 in imperfect situations (e.g.as described above) and/or for any other purpose(s). In someembodiments, such as shown in FIGS. 17A-18 , the bung plug extractor 50is configured so that the centering collar 228 can pivot, tilt, orswivel around 360° relative to the vertical axis 220 of the bung plugextractor 50 and/or the drum 30. In the preferred embodiment, thedesired angular positional flexibility of the centering collar 228 isprovided by having three independently-acting outer springs 236. Forexample, the outer springs 236 may be evenly spaced-apart around thecentering collar 228 and the vertical axis 220 of the bung plugextractor 50. The use of three independently acting (deformable) outersprings 236 may, for example, allow swiveling movement of the centeringcollar 228 around 360° relative to the vertical axis 220 of the bungplug extractor 50 and/or the drum 30. If desired, the exemplary bungplug extractor 50 may be configured to allow up to a certain amount(e.g. approximately ¼″) of displacement due to swiveling movement of thecentering collar 228 in any direction (around) 360°. In FIG. 29 , forexample, the bung opening 32 and lip 35 are approximately ¼″ off-centerrelative to the exemplary bung plug extractor 50 (e.g. vertical axis220) and the centering collar 228. In response to uneven upward forcesacting upon the centering collar 228, one or more of the outer springs236 deforms to allow the exemplary centering collar 228 (and theassociated centering housing 246, centering cone 266, floating plate254) and bung plug extraction tool 184 to re-center over and align withthe bung opening 32 by swiveling, or tilting (downward to the right inthe illustration) so that bung plug 34 extraction can proceed. However,other embodiments may allow the centering collar 228 to move in a rangeof motion less than 360° and/or more or less than ¼″ movement (e.g. ⅛″,½″, ¾″, 1″, etc.) in any or certain directions, or a combinationthereof, or not allow relative angular movement of the centering collar228.

Referring again to FIGS. 17A-18 , the exemplary outer springs 236 mayallow the desired angular positional flexibility of the centering collar228 in any suitable manner and with any suitable components. In thepreferred embodiment, the centering collar 228 is operatively coupled tothe floating plate 254, upon which each of the illustrated outer springs236 acts. For example, each outer spring 236 may be biased downwardlybetween a biasing collar 237 (or other component(s) rigidly coupled toits associated spring support rod 238) and the floating plate 254 (orone or more components (e.g. a flat washer 255) associated therewith).The exemplary floating plate 254 is able to float (up-and-down andside-to-side) independently on each spring support rod 238 within alimited range of motion between the outer springs 236 and the lowerplate 260 (which is rigidly coupled to the rods 238 proximate to thelower ends 238 a thereof). Thus, in the preferred embodiment, if unevenupward forces are placed upon the exemplary centering collar 228, one ormore of the outer springs 236 may react, causing the floating plate 254and attached centering collar 228 to move up or down, tilt or pivotrelative to one or more of the spring support rods 238, lower plate 269,vertical axis 220 and/or drum 30 within the floating range of motion ofthe floating plate 254. The exemplary bung plug extractor 50 is thusconfigured to allow relative angular movement of the floating plate 254,centering collar 228 (and bung plug engagement tool 184, such asdescribed below) up to ¼″ displacement in any direction around theperimeter of the spring support rods 238.

However, the exemplary outer springs 236 (or other components) may allowthe desired relative angular movement of the centering collar 228 in anyother manner. Further, other embodiments of the bung plug extractor 50may include more (four, five, six or more) or less (one or two) outersprings 236, one or more pairs of nested springs, or any other desiredquantity and/or configuration of springs and/or other types of biasingmembers or other components (e.g. elastic members, swivels, bearings,etc.) to allow the desired relative angular movement or positionalflexibility of the centering collar 228 and/or bung plug engagement tool184 (e.g. more or less displacement (e.g. 1/16″, ⅛″, ½″, ⅝″, ¾″ or more)in any desired direction and/or within any desired range of motion (e.g.more or less than 360°)). For example, one or more swivel joints,bearings or other components may also, or instead, allow the desiredrelative angular movement of the centering collar 228 and/or bung plugengagement tool 184. However, in some embodiments, relative angularmovement of the centering collar 228 and/or bung plug engagement tool184 may not be provided. Thus, the details, nature, characteristics andoperation of the components of the bung plug extractor 50 are notlimiting upon the present disclosure and appended claims, except andonly to the extent as may be expressly recited and explicitly requiredin a particular claim hereof and only for such claim(s) and any claimsdepending therefrom.

Referring now to FIG. 18 , if desired, the bung plug engagement tool 184may be configured to move in substantial unison with the centeringcollar 228 in relative angular movement (e.g. as described above) toallow angular positional flexibility of the bung plug engagement tool184 relative to the drum 30. Concurrent relative angular movement of thetool 184 and centering collar 228 may be provided in any suitablemanner. In the preferred embodiment, the bung plug engagement tool 184is operatively coupled to the centering collar 228 with respect torelative angular movement. When this feature is included, the bung plugengagement tool 184 may be operatively coupled to the centering collar228 in any suitable manner. In the preferred embodiment, a centeringhousing 246 is coupled to and extends at least partially between thefloating plate 254 and the centering collar 228. The centering housing246, when included, may have any suitable form, configuration andoperation. For example, the illustrated centering housing 246 includes acentral bore 248 through which the guide 196 of the bung plug engagementtool 184 extends and is freely slideable up and down. In the preferredembodiment, the central bore 248 of the exemplary centering housing 246may be sized so that the guide 196 fits snugly therein (e.g. withminimal or no side-to-side movement of the guide 196 relative to thecentering housing 246) to allow the bung plug engagement tool 184 tomove concurrently with the centering housing 246 in swiveling movementand vice versa. If desired, one or more bushing assemblies 252 (or othercomponents) may be associated with the bore 248 and/or centering housing246 to assist in reducing frictional wear of the guide 196 and/orcentering housing 246 as the guide 196 moves up and down relativethereto, for any other purpose(s) or a combination thereof.

It should be noted that the swiveling movement of the centering collar228 and the bung plug engagement tool 184 may be limited by the flexiblecoupler 212, when included, acting on the bung plug engagement tool 184(e.g. as described above) and/or any other components. In the preferredembodiment, the concurrent swiveling movement of the exemplary centeringcollar 228 and bung plug engagement tool 184 is limited by both therelevant range of motion of the exemplary floating plate 254 and itsconnected components and the exemplary universal joint 214. However, anyother configuration of components (e.g. swivel joints) may be providedto allow concurrent swiveling movement of the bung plug engagement tool184 and the centering collar 228. Thus, the details of the constructionand operation of the components described and shown herein to allowconcurrent swiveling movement of the bung plug engagement tool 184 andthe centering collar 228 are in no way limiting upon the presentdisclosure or appended claims, except and only to the extent as may beexpressly recited and explicitly required in a particular claim hereofand only for such claim(s) and any claim(s) depending therefrom.

Referring now to FIGS. 30-32 , the centering collar 228 may be rigidly,releasably coupled to the centering housing 246, such as for removal andreplacement of the centering collar 228 due to wear or breakage, toswitch out the centering collar 228 to match its inner diameter 230 withthe diameter 35 c (e.g. FIG. 28 ) of the lip 35 of the particular drum'sbung opening 32, for any other purpose(s) or a combination thereof. Inthe preferred embodiment, the centering housing 246 includes one or morekeys 247 that slideably, releasably, lockingly engage a respectivelocking groove 232 in the centering collar 228. However, any otherarrangement of parts may be used to releasably couple the centeringcollar 228 and the centering housing 246, when included, or they may benon-releasably or non-rigidly coupled together or integrally formed.

Referring back to FIG. 18 , if desired, the centering assembly 180 mayinclude one or more centering cones 266 (or other component(s)) usefulto assist in centering the centering collar 228 and bung plug engagementtool 184 relative to the vertical axis 220 of the bung plug extractor 50and/or the drum 30 at any desired time, for any other purposes or acombination thereof. The centering cone 266, when included, may have anysuitable form, configuration, components and operation. In the preferredembodiment, the centering cone 266 is configured to assist (e.g. alongwith the outer springs 236) in realigning or positioning the centeringcollar 228 and bung plug engagement tool 184 in their “home” positions(e.g. centered on the vertical axis 220 of the bung plug extractor 50and/or the drum 30) when the bung plug extractor 50 is not engaged witha drum 30. For example, the centering cone 266 may be cone-shaped andrigidly releasably coupled (e.g. sandwiched) between the floating plate254 and the centering housing 246. Referring to FIG. 32 , if desired,one or more couplers 268 (e.g. screws) may connect the exemplaryfloating plate 254 (e.g. via holes 258) to the centering housing 246(e.g. via holes 251) and extend through respective passages 270 in thecentering cone 266. In the preferred embodiment, the couplers 268include three screws. In other embodiments, any desired quantity (e.g.one, two, four, five, six, etc.) and form (e.g. clip, pin, rod, etc.) ofcouplers 268 or other connection components may be used.

Referring now to FIGS. 18 & 32 , the exemplary centering cone 266includes a central bore 272 that extends around a neck 249 of thecentering housing 246. In this embodiment, an angled outercircumferential surface 276 of the illustrated centering cone 266 isconfigured to seat within a complimentary-angled inner diameter 262 of acentral bore 264 formed in the lower plate 260 (e.g. in a preferred“home” position). Thus, the exemplary centering cone 266 will typicallyensure that the centering collar 228 and bung plug engagement tool 184are precisely aligned in their respective home positions, for example,prior to the start of bung plug 34 removal operations. However, thecentering cone 266 may have any other shape (non-conical), beconstructed of multiple components and operate in any other suitablemanner. In some embodiments, the centering cone 266 may not be included,or one or more additional or different components may be used to helpcenter the centering collar 228 and bung plug engagement tool 184 asdesired. Thus, the details of the construction and operation of thecentering cone 266 and related components as provided herein are in noway limiting upon the present disclosure or appended claims, except andonly to the extent as may be expressly recited and explicitly requiredin a particular claim hereof and only for such claim(s) and any claim(s)depending therefrom.

Referring now to FIGS. 26-28 , the bung plug extractor 50 may beconfigured to remove the bung plug 34 once it is disconnected from thedrum 30. If this feature is included, any suitable arrangement ofcomponents and technique(s) may be used. For a few examples, the bungplug extractor 50 may utilize one or more cups, grippers, claws, tongs,magnets or any other mechanical or other components to physically orotherwise engage or grab the bung plug 34 or allow it to be moved awayfrom the drum 30. For another example, suction may be used toeffectively lock onto or grab the disconnected bung plug 34 and allow itto be moved away from the bung opening 32.

In the preferred embodiment, the drum manipulation system 10 isconfigured to provide air suction inside one or more vacuum spaces 280formed between the mating portion 192 of the bung plug engagement tool184 and the bung plug 34 (see also FIG. 18 ). For example, a vacuum maybe provided in the vacuum space 280 through one or more air passageways284 formed in, or extending at least partially through, the bung plugengagement tool 184 sufficient to lift the disconnected bung plug 34(e.g. edge 37) up and at least partially against or proximate to theface 193 of the mating portion 192 (or other part(s)) of the bung plugengagement tool 184 and carry it with the bung plug engagement tool 184away from the drum 30. In this manner, the bung plug 34 is “grabbed” or“carried” by the exemplary bung plug engagement tool 184. However, inother embodiments, suction may be created in a different space orbetween the bung plug 34 and another component of the bung plugextractor 50 to releasably engage, hold or carry the bung plug 34 forremoval, or may not be included. For example, the bung engagement tool184 of FIG. 21 includes a vacuum cup 274 for grabbing the bung plug 34(e.g. plastic plug 34 b, FIG. 5 ) in various scenarios (e.g. whenmanipulating a polyethylene drum 30).

Referring now to FIGS. 18 & 27 , in the preferred embodiment, a vacuummay be provided through the air passageway(s) 284 of the bung plugengagement tool 184 to the vacuum space 280 (or other desired location)in any suitable manner. For example, one or more vacuum sources 288(e.g. air compressors, vacuum generators, vacuum pumps) may bereleasably fluidly coupled (e.g. via one or more hoses 289) directly tothe bung plug engagement tool 184. For another example, the vacuumsource(s) 288 may be coupled (e.g. via one or more hoses 289) to avacuum housing 292 which is fluidly coupled to the air passageway(s) 284of the bung plug engagement tool 184. In some embodiments, the drummanipulation system 10 may include an internal vacuum source or may becoupled to an external vacuum source. In FIG. 1C, the vacuum source is avacuum generator 290 (shown with a vacuum gauge 291). If desired, thevacuum source(s) 288 and/or other vacuum-related components may beselectively actuated by the controller 12, but could instead or also beactuated by one or more operators, the driver 204 (e.g. FIG. 17A), othercomponent(s) of the drum manipulation system 10 or a combinationthereof. In some embodiments, the vacuum source may be large capacity(e.g. up to 60 cfm) to pull sufficient volume of air to lift the bungplug 34 (e.g. when a complete fluid tight seal is not formed around thevacuum space 280). If desired, one or more filters 293 (e.g. FIG. 1C)may be provided at one or more locations in the vacuum path to preventmetal shavings (e.g. created during rotation of the bung plugs 34) orother debris from entering the vacuum source(s) 288 or other components,for any other purpose(s) or a combination thereof. In the preferredembodiment, at least one filter 293 (e.g. FIG. 1C) is provided on theinlet side of the vacuum source(s) 288 to prevent debris from entering.

Still referring to FIGS. 18 & 27 , when included, the vacuum housing 292may have any suitable form, configuration, components and operation. Inthe preferred embodiment, the vacuum housing 292 is a sliding flange,collar, or sleeve, 294 (e.g. FIG. 33 ) rigidly releasably coupled (e.g.via snap, or retainer, rings 296) to the guide 196 of the bung plugengagement tool 184 above the floating plate 254. The exemplary vacuumhousing 292 includes at least one fluid flow passage 300 fluidlycoupling the air passageway 284 of the bung plug engagement tool 184 andthe vacuum source 288. If desired, the vacuum housing 292 may bespring-biased downwardly by the inner spring(s) 240 and moveable withthe guide 196. For example, each inner spring 240 may be provided arounda respective inner spring rod, or linear bearing shaft, 241 extendingthrough the vacuum housing 292 and anchored, at its lower end 241 a, tothe floating plate 254 (see e.g. FIGS. 30-31 ). While three innersprings 240 are shown, any other quantity (one, two, four or more) ofinner springs 240 (or other biasing components) may be included. Theexemplary vacuum housing 292 and bung engagement tool 184 are thusconcurrently moveable up and down relative to the inner spring rods 241,floating plate 254, lower plate 260, centering cone 266, centeringhousing 246, centering collar 228 and drum 30. However, the vacuumhousing 292 may have any other configuration and may be fluidly coupledbetween one or more vacuum sources 288 and the bung plug engagement tool184 and/or moveable relative to any combination of components in anyother suitable manner (e.g. without the use of inner springs 240) or notat all. Thus, the details of the construction and operation of thevacuum housing 292 and other components and techniques described andshown herein to provide a vacuum for lifting or otherwise engaging thebung plug 34 are in no way limiting upon the present disclosure orappended claims, except and only to the extent as may be expresslyrecited and explicitly required in a particular claim hereof and onlyfor such claim(s) and any claim(s) depending therefrom.

Referring now to FIGS. 17A & 28 , once the disconnected bung plug 34 hasbeen grabbed by the exemplary bung plug engagement tool 184 or othercomponent (e.g. the vacuum has been actuated and the bung plug 34 suckedup to the exemplary bung plug engagement tool 184), the bung plugextractor 50 and bung plug 34 may be selectively moved away from thedrum 30. Before shuttling away the entire bung plug extractor 50, it maybe desirable to initially retract, or move the bung plug 34 (e.g.straight up) away from the drum 30 and clear of the bung opening 32 toavoid knocking or tapping the bung plug 34 against the lip 35, orreceiving threads 33 of the bung opening 32, or other part of the drum30. Such event could, for example, release the suction of the vacuum(when included) and/or otherwise cause the bung plug 34 to drop from thebung plug engagement tool 184, interrupt or inhibit further operations,or cause other undesirable consequences. In the preferred embodiment,the drum manipulation system 10 is configured to initially retract thevacuum housing 292 and bung plug engagement tool 184 up (e.g.approximately 1.0″, or more or less) away from the drum 30 against thedownward biasing forces of the inner springs 240 before shuttling thebung plug extractor 50 away from the drum 30. For example, the vacuumhousing 292 and bung plug engagement tool 184 may be initially moved upby a bung plug retraction actuator 308.

When included, the bung plug retraction actuator 308 may have anysuitable form, configuration, components and operation sufficient toraise-up the vacuum housing 292, bung plug engagement tool 184 (and/orother components) and bung plug 34 clear of the bung opening 32 and drum30. For example, referring to FIGS. 28& 31 , the actuator 308 may be apneumatic or hydraulic cylinder 310 having an up-and-down moving piston312 associated with the vacuum housing 292 and/or bung plug engagementtool 184 and configured to move it/them up as desired. In the preferredembodiment, a bracket 314 (e.g. L-bracket) extends outwardly from thepiston 312 and is positioned to engage the vacuum housing 292 and/orbung plug engagement tool 184 (see also FIG. 32 ). For example, thebracket 314 may have a fork-shaped, U-shaped or similarly-shaped base316 that at least partially straddles, or extends around, the guide 196of the bung plug engagement tool 184 below the vacuum housing 292 (e.g.FIG. 17B). The illustrated bracket 314 is rigidly releasably coupled tothe piston 312, but could instead be integrally formed therewith, ornon-rigidly or non-releasably coupled thereto. The exemplary bracket 314is selectively moveable up by the piston 312 to drag the exemplaryvacuum housing 292 (bung plug engagement tool 184 and bung plug 34) upthe desired distance to clear the disconnected bung plug 34 away fromthe drum 30.

Referring to FIGS. 27 & 31 , if desired, a “start” or “home” position ofthe exemplary piston 312 and connected bracket 314 may be a downposition relative to the bung plug engagement tool 184 so that thebracket 314 is out of the way of the bung plug engagement tool 184 andwill not interfere with the action of the bung plug engagement tool 184during disengagement of the bung plug 34 from the drum 30 and/or for anyother purposes. After the bung plug 34 has been disconnected and grabbedby the exemplary bung plug engagement tool 184, the illustrated piston312 may be selectively moveable up such as described above andthereafter selectively movable down. In the preferred embodiment, theactuator 310 is anchored to the side of the floating plate 254, such asvia a connection plate 318 (e.g. FIG. 32 ), but could be mountedelsewhere as desired. Moreover, the bung plug retraction actuator 308may have any other form, components and operation to selectively movethe bung plug engagement tool 184 and bung plug 34 away from the drum 30as desired. In some embodiments, particularly those not utilizing avacuum housing 292, the bung plug retraction actuator 308 may beconfigured to directly move the bung plug engagement tool 184 and/orbung plug 34 away from the drum 30 (e.g. without the use of a vacuumhousing 292), or may not be included. Moreover, any other suitablecomponents and techniques (e.g. mateable engagement, grippingengagement, etc.) may be used to selectively move the bung plug 34 awayfrom the drum 30. Thus, the details of the construction and operation ofthe components and techniques described and shown herein to initiallymove the engaged bung plug 34 away from the drum 30 are in no waylimiting upon the present disclosure or appended claims, except and onlyto the extent as may be expressly recited and explicitly required in aparticular claim hereof and only for such claim(s) and any claim(s)depending therefrom. Further, the bung plug extractor 50 may have anyother suitable form configuration, components and operation. Forexample, the bung plug extractor 50 may incorporate or use any part, orall of, the apparatus and techniques disclosed in German Patent Pub. No.DE3715795A1 to Feige published on Nov. 24, 1988 and German Patent Pub.No. DE3715795C2 to Feige published on Nov. 22, 1990, both from GermanPatent App No. DE19873715795 filed on May 12, 1987 and entitled“Screwing Device for the Screw-in Lids of Barrel Bungholes”, all thedetails and contents of which are hereby incorporated by referenceherein in their entireties.

Referring back to FIGS. 1A-2 , after the bung plug 34 has beendisconnected from the drum 30 by the exemplary bung plug extractor 50(and, if desired, initially cleared of the bung opening 32), the bungplug extractor 50 and/or bung plug 34 may be moved away from the drum30, or the drum 30 moved away therefrom. In some embodiments, a separatemechanism may remove the bung plug 34 from the bung plug extractor 50.In the preferred embodiment, the bung plug extractor 50 carries the bungplug 34 away from the drum 30. For example, the bung plug 34 may becarried away from the drum 30 by the bung plug extractor 50 (e.g. bymaintaining suction) as the bung plug extractor 50 is shuttled, orretracted, away from the drum 30. In such instances, the bung plugextractor 50 may be selectively moveable away from the drum 30 in anysuitable manner. For example, one or more drivers 46 may be operativelycoupled to the bung plug extractor 50 and, if desired, electronicallycoupled to electronic controller 12, for selectively moving the bungplug extractor 50 in one or more linear, arc-like and/or angular pathsback and forth between positions, similarly as described above. In thepreferred embodiment, the bung plug extractor 50 is typically moveablebetween operating and home positions by the second driver 46 b in avertical path (up clear of the drum 30), then by the first driver 46 ain a linear path sideways (e.g. horizontally) away from the drum 30.However, in other embodiments, the bung plug extractor 50 may bemoveable away from the drum 30 in any other desired manner, along asingle path or one or more non-linear paths (e.g. an arc-like motion,angular motion, etc.), with the use of any other form or combination ofdriver(s) or other components controlled by the controller 12, othercomponent(s) (e.g. sensor(s)), one or more operators or a combinationthereof.

Referring to FIG. 1A & 34 , during retraction of the exemplary bung plugextractor 50, the bung plug 34 may, if desired, be moved to a desiredlocation for storage, disposal, reuse or any other purpose, or may beretained by the bung plug extractor 50 or other component(s). Forexample, the bung plug 34 may be moved to a location when it can bere-engaged with the same (or a different) drum 30. In the preferredembodiment, the bung plug extractor 50 is configured to be selectivelyactuated to drop, or place, the bung plug 34 on a bung plug conveyor328. For example, after moving the bung plug extractor 50 up, the bungplug extractor 50 may be moved initially in a rearward horizontal path(toward the rear side 106 of the drum manipulation system 10) away fromthe drum 30 to a position over the bung plug conveyor 328 to allow thebung plug 34 to be released onto the bung plug conveyor 328. In someembodiments, the bung plug extractor 50 may then be moved down to placethe bung plug 34 on the bung plug conveyor 328. For example, once theexemplary bung plug extractor 50 is in a down position over the bungplug conveyor 328 (e.g. with the bung plug 34 resting on the bung plugconveyor 328), the vacuum may be de-actuated to release suction, orreversed to provide air pressure out of the bung plug engagement tool184, to ensure timely release of the bung plug 34, hold the bung plug 34in position on the bung plug conveyor 328 as the bung plug extractor 50is then lifted up away from the bung plug conveyor 328 and drum 30 (e.g.to a home position), for any other suitable purpose(s) or a combinationthereof. After clearing the bung plug 34 and bung plug conveyor 328, thevacuum may be turned off. However, any other technique or sequence maybe used.

Still referring to FIG. 1A & 34 , the exemplary bung plug conveyor 328is configured to convey the bung plug 34 to a location where it canlater be picked up and re-engaged with the same drum 30. For example,the illustrated bung plug conveyor 328 may be configured to convey thebung plug 34 to a position adjacent to a third (e.g. bung pluginstallation) station 122 of the drum manipulation system 10 (or drumfiling system 70). However, the bung plug conveyor 328 may move theextracted bung plugs 34 to a different destination. Moreover, theextracted bung plug 34 may instead be deposited onto, or into, adifferent type of device (e.g. vibratory bung plug feeder, disposal bin)for reuse or disposal or any other purpose.

When included, the bung plug conveyor 328 may have suitable form,configuration, components and operation. For example, the bung plugconveyor 328 may include a mini-mover belt 334 (e.g. 2.9″ wide or moreor less) configured to be selectively actuated by any suitable driver332, such as an electric motor. If desired, the driver 332 may beelectronically coupled to the controller 12 or other component of thedrum manipulation system 10 for selective control thereof. In thepreferred embodiment, the exemplary bung plug conveyor 328 is formedwith a length suitable to transport the removed bung plugs 34one-at-a-time in a linear path from the first station 118 to the thirdstation 122 (e.g. 40″, or more or less) and positioned rearward of (e.g.and parallel to) the drum conveyor 88 proximate to the rear side 106 ofthe drum manipulation system 10. One or more sensors 336 (e.g. photo-eyesensors) may be used to detect the presence of a bung plug 34 at eachdesired location on the bung plug conveyor 328. However, the bung plugconveyor 328 may have any other configuration, location and operationand the bung plugs 34 may be deposited thereon (and/or removedtherefrom, such as described below) in any other suitable sequence ormanner. Thus, the details of the construction and operation of the bungplug conveyor 328 and other components and techniques described andshown herein relating to the disposition of the removed bung plug 34 arein no way limiting upon the present disclosure or appended claims,except and only to the extent as may be expressly recited and explicitlyrequired in a particular claim hereof and only for such claim(s) and anyclaim(s) depending therefrom.

Referring to FIGS. 1A & 28 , if desired, the bung plug 34 may be placedon the exemplary bung plug conveyor 328 in a particular orientationand/or with the bung plug engagement tool 184 in a particular positionso that the exemplary bung plug installer 60 (or other component) canlater engage or pick up the bung plug 34, for any other purpose(s) or acombination thereof. For example, the tabs 194 of the mating portion 192of the illustrated engagement tool 184 of the bung plug extractor 50(e.g. FIG. 28 ) and bung plug installer 60 (e.g. FIG. 39 ) may bespecifically oriented at or near the same positions when the bung plug34 is placed on and removed from the bung plug conveyor 328,respectively. In embodiments of bung plug engagement tool 184 havingfirst and second tabs 194, for one example, the tabs 194 may bepositioned at, or near, respective three o'clock and nine o-clock (orany other desired) positions relative to the front side 104 of the drummanipulation system 10 for plug drop-off and pick-up. Similarly, oralternately, when a bung plug 34 having protrusions 38 is used, the bungplug 34 (e.g. FIGS. 4, 5 ) may be placed on the bung plug conveyor 328with the protrusions 38 in a particular orientation. For one example, insituations using bung plugs 34 having first and second protrusions 38(e.g. bung plug 34 a, FIG. 4 ), the protrusions 38 may be specificallyoriented at, or near, respective six o-clock and twelve o-clock (or anyother desired) positions relative to the front side 104 of the drummanipulation system 10 when the bung plug 34 is placed on and removedfrom the bung plug conveyor 328. This would allow the bung plugengagement tool 184 of the exemplary bung plug installer 60 (e.g. FIG.39 ), as described further below, to later be oriented in approximatelythe same position as the bung plug engagement tool 184 of the bung plugextractor 50, such as to efficiently and effectively pick up the bungplug 34, avoid the exemplary tabs 194 (or other part of the bung pluginstaller 60) from undesirably hitting the protrusions 38 (or other partof the bung plug 34) and/or preventing the creation of sufficientsuction to pick up the bung plug 34 or otherwise hinder the ability ofthe bung plug installer 60 to grab the bung plug 34 and/or for any otherpurpose(s). However, any other orientation of the protrusions 38 orother part(s) of the bung plug 34 and/or the tabs 194 (or other part(s))of the respective bung plug engagement tools 184 of the bung plugextractor 50 and bung plug installer 60 or techniques may be used toselectively position the bung plug 34 on the bung plug conveyor 328 orotherwise assist the bung plug installer 60 in picking up the plug 34from the bung plug conveyor 328, when this capability is included.

Referring back to FIGS. 1A-2 , after the bung plug 34 is removed from a“first” drum 30 (e.g. and the bung plug extractor 50 and bung plug 34are moved away), the first drum 30 may be further manipulated as desired(e.g. inspected, filled, cleaned, modified, etc.). In the preferredembodiment, the first drum 30 is moved to the second station 120. Forexample, retraction of the bung plug extractor 50 away from the firstdrum 30 or other event may cause the drum conveyor 88 to move it to thesecond station 120 (e.g. at the direction of the controller 12, othercomponents(s) or operator(s)). As the first drum 30 is transported awayfrom the exemplary first station 118, one or more sensors 93 or othercomponent(s) may be configured to detect the arrival of the first drum30 at a particular position along the length of the drum conveyor 88that represents the second station 120 and cause the drum conveyor 88 tostop, or otherwise deposit the first drum 30 at that location. In thepreferred embodiment, upon detection of the first drum 30 at the desiredposition, one or more sensors 93 or other component(s) signal theelectronic controller 12, which signals the drum conveyor 88 to stopmoving. However, in other embodiments, the sensor(s) 93, or othercomponent(s), may directly cause the drum conveyor 88 to stop or may notbe included. Some embodiments may not involve movement of the drum 30between multiple stations. For example, all of the drum manipulationactivities may occur at only one station.

Still referring to FIGS. 1A-2 , if desired, a second drum 30 may bedeposited or provided on the drum conveyor 88 behind the first drum(e.g. at or near the entrance end 100 of the drum manipulation system 10and/or drum filling system 70), so that movement of the first drum 30 tothe exemplary second station 120 will concurrently move the second drum30 to the first station 118 (e.g. for removal of the bung plug 34therefrom). Thereafter, the desired drum manipulation operations (ifany) at the respective stations 118, 120 may be performed to both thefirst and second drums 30. A third drum 30 may be similarly added andmoved to the first station 118 as the first drum 30 moves to the thirdstation 122 and the second drum moves to the second station 120 for drummanipulations operations there (if any), then a fourth drum 30, and soon. In the preferred embodiment, any desired quantity of drums 30 may besubsequently added and moved in unison (spaced apart appropriately) toeach successive station, then out of the drum manipulation system 10(and drum filling system 70) at the exit end 102 in an “assembly-line”style of continuous processing.

In the illustrated drum manipulation system 10 (and/or drum fillingsystem 70), the second station 120 involves the filling of the drum 30with liquid by the drum filler 74. However, any other activity or noactivity may take place at the second station 120. After the desiredactivity or inactivity at the second station 120, or otherwise wheneverdesired, the exemplary bung plug installer 60 may be used to attach abung plug 34 to the bung opening 32 of the subject drum 30. In thisembodiment, the drum 30 is moved to the third station 122 (e.g.similarly as described above with respect to movement of the drum 30from the first station 118 to the second station 120) for installationof a bung plug 34. However, in other embodiments, the bung pluginstaller 60 may attach a bung plug 34 to the drum 30 at the secondstation 120 (the first station, any other station or location).

Referring now to FIGS. 35 & 36 , the bung plug installer 60 may have anysuitable form, configuration, components and operation. For example, thebung plug extractor 50, such as described above, may be used as the bungplug installer 60. In other embodiments, the bung plug installer 60 maybe separate and distinct from the bung plug extractor 50, but have mostof the same components, features, details and operation as the bung plugextractor 50 (such as described above). For example, the bung pluginstaller 60 may include the same centering assembly 180 (e.g. centeringcollar 228, centering housing 246 and centering cone 266), bung plugengagement tool 184, carrier 200, vacuum housing 292 and relatedcomponents as described above with respect to the exemplary bung plugextractor 50, the descriptions above of which are hereby incorporated byreference herein in their entireties. In such instance, these exemplarycomponents may be used generally in reverse by the illustrated bung pluginstaller 60 to grab (e.g. suck up) the bung plug 34 off the bung plugconveyor 328 (e.g. FIG. 1A) or other location, center the bung plugengagement tool 184 and bung plug 34 over the bung opening 32 andinstall the bung plug 34 (carried thereby) into the bung opening 32(e.g. rotating the bung plug engagement tool 184 in the oppositedirection as during bung plug extraction by the bung plug extractor 50).In the preferred embodiment, some components of the bung plug installer60 may be modified or have modified capabilities as those of the bungplug extractor 50. For example, the driver 204 (for actuating the guide196 of the bung plug engagement tool 184) of the bung plug installer 60may include the same and additional capabilities as the driver 204 ofthe bung plug extractor 50. For example, the driver 204 of the bung pluginstaller 60 may be a servo-motor 350 having a selectively rotatableshaft operatively coupled (e.g. via a gear box 354) to the guide 196 ofthe bung plug engagement tool 184 for rotation thereof in the samemanner, or similarly, as described above and shown in the appendeddrawings as the air motor 206 (e.g. FIG. 17C) of the bung plug extractor50, plus additional components and capabilities (such as describedbelow). Furthermore, various of the features of the exemplary bung plugextractor 50 may not be necessary in the exemplary bung plug installer60, such as the bung plug retraction actuator 308 (e.g. FIG. 31 ) andrelated components (e.g. bracket 314, connection plate 318), and thusmay not be included in the bung plug installer 60.

Referring to FIGS. 1A-B & 2, in the preferred embodiment, once the drum30 is positioned as desired for installing a bung plug 34 in the drum 30(e.g. moved to the third station 122), the exemplary bung plug installer60 may be shuttled, or moved, into position relative to the drum 30and/or the drum 30 may be moved in a desired position relative to thebung plug installer 60. For example, the bung plug installer 60 may bemoved from at least one “home” position (e.g. away from the drum 30,similar to the home positions of the exemplary bung locator 40 and bungplug extractor 50 as described above) to an “operating” position overand/or in contact with the drum 30. In at least one exemplary homeposition, the bung plug installer 60 may be sufficiently clear of thedrum 30 to allow other one or more components (e.g. dust cap crimper 98)to engage or perform other drum manipulation operations on the drum 30,allow the drum 30 to be moved to a different location, for any otherdesired purpose(s) or a combination thereof. In at least one operatingposition, the exemplary bung plug installer 60 may be over the bungopening 32 of the drum 30. In the preferred embodiment, for example,FIG. 36 illustrates the exemplary bung plug installer 60 over the drum30 prior to being lowered down onto the drum 30. FIG. 37 illustrates thebung plug installer 60 of the preferred embodiment installing the bungplug 34 in the drum 30 and FIG. 39 illustrates the exemplary bung pluginstaller 60 after installing the bung plug 34 and moving up away fromthe drum 30. (It should be noted that FIG. 39 also represents anexemplary position of the bung plug installer 60 of the preferredembodiment prior to picking up a bung plug 34 prior to installation.)

Referring again to FIGS. 1A-B & 2, in the preferred embodiment, the bungplug installer 60 may be selectively moveable relative to the drum 30 asdesired in any suitable manner. For example, one or more drivers 46 maybe operatively coupled to the bung plug installer 60 and, if desired,electronically coupled to electronic controller 12, for selectivelymoving the bung plug installer 60 in one or more linear, arc-like and/orangular paths back and forth between positions, similarly as describedabove with respect to the movement of the exemplary bung locator 40. Inthe preferred embodiment, the bung plug installer 60 is moveable betweenhome and operating positions by a third driver 46 c (e.g. linearpneumatic or hydraulic cylinder) in a first linear path sideways (e.g.horizontally) toward the drum 30 and then by a fourth driver 46 d (e.g.linear pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder) in a linear vertical path downto the drum 30. If desired, one or more sensors 356 (e.g. proximitysensors 358, FIG. 40 ) may be used to assist in positioning the bungplug installer 60 for each of its positions. In other embodiments, thebung plug installer 60 may be moveable toward and away from the drum 30in any other desired manner, along a single path or one or morenon-linear paths (e.g. an arc-like motion, angular motion, etc.), withthe use of any other form or combination of driver(s) or othercomponents controlled by the controller 12, other component(s), one ormore operators or a combination thereof.

For installing a bung plug 34 in the drum 30, the bung plug 34 shouldpreferably be brought into position on, over or in the bung opening 32for engagement therewith by the exemplary bung plug installer 60. Thebung plug 34 may be positioned on, over or in the bung opening 32 in anysuitable manner. For example, a robotic arm, or other component, mayplace the bung plug 34 on, over or in the bung opening 32 (e.g. prior toengagement by the bung plug installer 60). For another example, arobotic arm, or other component, may deliver the bung plug 34 to thebung plug installer 60, which will then position the bung plug 34 on,over or in the bung opening 32. For yet another example, the bung pluginstaller 60 may itself store one or more bung plugs 34 for one-by-onesuccessive positioning onto the respective bung openings 32 of eachsuccessive drum 30 (e.g. with a built-in automatic or associateddispenser).

Referring still to FIGS. 1A-B & 2, in many embodiments, the bung pluginstaller 60 itself retrieves the bung plug 34 and brings it to the bungopening 32 of the subject drum 30. In such instances, the installer 60may use any suitable configuration of components to retrieve and carrythe bung plug 34. Similarly, as mentioned above for the bung plugextractor 50, the bung plug installer 60 may utilize one or more cups,grippers, claws, tongs, magnets or any other mechanical or othercomponents to retrieve (physically or otherwise engage or grab) the bungplug 34 (at any desired bung plug storage location or waiting area). Foranother example, suction may be used to effectively lock onto, or grab,the bung plug 34 and carry it to the bung opening 32. Referring to FIG.36 , preferably, the drum manipulation system 10 is configured toprovide air suction inside one or more vacuum spaces 280 formed betweenthe mating portion 192 of the bung plug engagement tool 184 of the bungplug installer 60 and the bung plug 34, in the same manner, orsimilarly, as described above with respect to the bung plug extractor 50(e.g. FIGS. 18, 26-28 ). Thus, the details, components and operationsprovided above and shown in the appended drawings relating to use of avacuum of the exemplary bung plug extractor 50 are hereby incorporatedby referenced herein in their entireties with respect to the exemplarybung plug installer 60. For example, a vacuum may be formed in thevacuum space 280 through one or more air passageways 284 formed in, orextending at least partially through, the bung plug engagement tool 184of the bung plug installer 60 sufficient to lift the bung plug 34 (e.g.edge 37, FIG. 4 ) up and at least partially against or proximate to theface 193 (or other portion(s)) of the mating portion 192 (e.g. FIG. 39 )of the bung plug engagement tool 184 and carry it with the bung plugengagement tool 184. However, in other embodiments, suction may becreated in a different space or between the bung plug 34 and anothercomponent of the bung plug extractor 50 to releasably engage, hold orcarry the plug 34 for removal, or may not be included. For example, thebung engagement tool 184 of FIG. 21 (as described above) may be used inthe bung plug installer 60.

Referring back to FIGS. 1A & 2 , when the exemplary bung plug installer60 moves to the drum 30 and retrieves the bung plug 34 from a bung plugconveyor 328 (or other plug depository), the bung plug installer 60 maybe moved (e.g. from a home position) to the bung plug conveyor 328 toallow the bung plug engagement tool 184 bung plug installer 60 (e.g.FIG. 36 ) to suck up (or otherwise grab or engage) the bung plug 34 andcarry it (e.g. by maintaining suction) to the drum 30. This may be donein any suitable manner and with any desired components. In the preferredembodiment, the bung plug installer 60 is moved in a horizontal pathtoward the bung plug conveyor 328 via the third driver 46 c to a “firstintermediate” position to pick up the bung plug 34. For example, one ormore sensors 356 (e.g. FIG. 40 ), such as a proximity sensor 358, maydetect when the bung plug installer 60 has arrived at the desired firstintermediate position and signal the controller 12 (other component oroperator). The exemplary controller 12 (other component or operator) maythen cause the third driver 46 c to stop moving and initiate one or moreother actions (e.g. direct the bung plug installer 60 to pick up a bungplug 34). In other embodiments, the sensor(s) 356 may communicatedirectly with the driver 46 c, other component(s), an operator orcombination thereof.

Referring to FIGS. 1A & 39 , if it is desired to orient the bung plugengagement tool 184 of the bung plug installer 60 in a particular mannerto pick up the bung plug 34 (e.g. from the bung plug conveyor 328 orother location), the bung plug engagement tool 184 is so oriented in anysuitable manner and at any desired time. In the preferred embodiment,before lowering the bung plug engagement tool 184 of the bung pluginstaller 60 to pick up the bung plug 34, the tabs 194 of the matingportion 192 of the bung plug engagement tool 184 (e.g. FIG. 20 ) may beoriented over spaces between protrusions 38 of the bung plug 34 (e.g.FIGS. 4-5 ) by rotating the mating portion 192. For one example, if thebung plug 34 a (FIG. 4 ) was placed on the bung plug conveyor 328 (orother plug depository) with its first and second protrusions 38 orientedat, or near, the six and twelve o-clock positions, the tabs 194 of themating portion 192 of the bung plug engagement tool 184 may be rotatedto, or near, the three and nine o-clock positions. Of course, theseparticular positions are provided herein for exemplary purposes only andany other desired positions may be used. Alternately, the respectivetabs 194 of the bung plug engagement tool 184 of the exemplary bung pluginstaller 60 may be placed in the same approximate or exact (known)positions in which the respective tabs 194 of the bung plug extractor 50were situated when the bung plug 34 was placed on the bung plug conveyor328, such as described above.

In the present embodiment, the bung plug engagement tool 184 of the bungplug installer 60 is rotated while moving toward the bung plug conveyor328 (or other bung plug 34 depository). However, in other embodiments,the bung plug engagement tool 184 may be rotated or otherwise orientedat another time, such as before the bung plug installer 60 is moved tothe location of the bung plug 34 or after it arrives. The exemplary drummanipulation system 10 is configured so that the same bung plug 34 thatwas removed from a particular drum 30 will typically be retrieved fromthe bung plug conveyor 328 and re-engaged with the same drum 30.Reinstalling the same bung plug 34 that was removed from the drum 30 mayhave advantages, such as, for example, providing greater assurance thatthe bung plug 34 will properly fit and mate with the drum 30. However,this capability is not required.

Referring to FIGS. 35 & 36 , in the preferred embodiment, the bung plugengagement tool 184 of the bung plug installer 60 is rotated into thedesired orientation over the bung plug 34 (before picking it up) withthe use of one or more alignment sensors 360 coupled to, or extendingfrom, a non-rotating part of the bung plug installer 60 and configuredto detect the presence of one or more flags 368 (having a particularpre-set position) on one of the rotating parts of the bung pluginstaller 60 during rotation of the bung plug engagement tool 184 overthe bung plug 34. The alignment sensor(s) 360 and flag(s) 368 may haveany suitable form, configuration, location and operation. For example,the alignment sensor 360 may be a proximity sensor 362 carried on amounting plate 371 or other component affixed to the bung plug installer60. The exemplary flag 368 may include one or more reflectors, pieces ofkey stock or other items welded or otherwise affixed to, or integralwith, the flexible coupler 212 (e.g. the upper link 215 of the universaljoint 214) or other moving component of the bung plug installer 60 or amarking, irregularity or geometric feature (e.g. protrusion,indentation) thereon. However, the alignment sensor(s) 360 and flag(s)368 may have any other suitable form and configuration and be providedon any other suitable components of the drum manipulation system 10. Forexample, the alignment sensor(s) 360 may instead be coupled to, orprovided on, the driver 204, upper plate 239 or another componentcoupled thereto, and the flag(s) 368 coupled to, or provided on, adifferent part of the flexible coupler 212, the shaft 208 of the driver204, the guide 196 or another rotating part of the bung plug engagementtool 184 of the bung plug installer 60.

Still referring to FIGS. 35 & 36 , in the preferred embodiment, when theexemplary flag 368 is aligned under the alignment sensor 360, the bungplug engagement tool 184 is in the desired orientation to move down andengage the bung plug 34. At that time, for example, the exemplaryalignment sensor 360 may be configured to signal another component (e.g.the driver 204 and/or controller 12) to stop rotation of the bung plugengagement tool 184 or take other action or may direct such actionitself. However, any other arrangement of parts and techniques may beused to orient the bung plug engagement tool 184 of the bung pluginstaller 60 for engaging the bung plug 34. Thus, the components andtechniques described and shown herein for orienting the bung plug 34 orbung plug engagement tool 184 to pick up the bung plug 34 are in no waylimiting upon the present disclosure or appended claims, except and onlyto the extent as may be expressly recited and explicitly required in aparticular claim hereof and only for such claim(s) and any claim(s)depending therefrom.

Referring to FIGS. 1A & 39 , after the exemplary bung plug engagementtool 184 of the bung plug installer 60 is oriented as desired, it may bemoved down to pick up the bung plug 34 in any suitable manner. In thepreferred embodiment, the bung plug installer 60 is moved in a verticalpath down to a “second intermediate” position via the fourth driver 46 duntil the bung plug engagement tool 184 engages the bung plug 34 asdesired. For example, when a vacuum is used to engage the bung plug 34(e.g. to create suction in the vacuum space 280), the secondintermediate position may be achieved when the face 193 of the matingportion 192 of the bung plug engagement tool 184 abuts the edge 37 ofthe bung plug 34, or the mating portion 192 is close enough to the bungplug 34 to allow sufficient vacuum suction to suck up or “grab” the bungplug 34. If desired, the vacuum source 288 (or other component) may beconfigured to indicate whether sufficient vacuum suction has beencreated to lift or grab the bung plug 34, or otherwise if the bung plug34 has been lifted, and signal the controller 12 or other component(e.g. to initiate the next action(s)). If it is determined thatsufficient vacuum suction is not detected (or the bung plug 34 has notbeen engaged), the drum manipulation system 10 may be configured to liftthe exemplary bung plug installer 60, rotate the bung plug engagementtool 184 a desired amount (e.g. 10° or more or less) and try again toengage the bung plug 34. This process may be repeated a desired numberof times (three or more or less) in an effort to grab the bung plug 34before the controller 12 (or other component) reports a fault eventand/or issues a fault signal. However, any other components andtechniques may be used to pick up the bung plug 34. For example, when avacuum is not used to engage the bung plug 34, the bung plug engagementtool 184 may engage the bung plug 34 in another suitable manner (such asmentioned above) and, if desired, any suitable components may be used todetermine whether successful engagement is achieved.

Referring to FIGS. 1A & 36 , in the preferred embodiment, after theexemplary bung plug 34 has been grabbed by the bung plug engagement tool184, the bung plug installer 60 is moved to an operating position overthe bung opening 32 of the drum 30. Any sequence and components may beused to move the bung plug installer 60 to an operating position. Forexample, the fourth driver 46 d may be actuated to move the bung pluginstaller 60 up, the third driver 46 c actuated to move the bung pluginstaller 60 forward (toward the front side 104 of the drum manipulationsystem 10) and the fourth driver 46 d actuated again to move the bungplug installer 60 down to an operating position, all while maintainingengagement with the bung plug 34 (e.g. maintaining vacuum suction).After the exemplary bung plug installer 60 arrives at the operatingposition (e.g. FIGS. 41-44 ), the centering assembly 180, bung plugengagement tool 184 and other components of the exemplary bung pluginstaller 60 may be configured to operate in substantially the samemanner as described above and shown in the appended drawings withrespect to the bung plug extractor 50, but, in this instance, to installthe bung plug 34 into the bung opening 32 (e.g. FIGS. 36-39 ).

Referring now to FIGS. 36 & 37 , in the preferred embodiment, since thebung plug 34 threadably engages the bung opening 32, the bung plug 34 isideally positioned over the bung opening 32 so that the lowermost of itsthreads 39 aligns over or abuts the uppermost thread(s) 33 of theopening 32. Thereafter, the mating portion 192 of the exemplary bungplug engagement tool 184 is rotated (e.g. clockwise) to engage the bungplug 34 in the hole 32. If desired, the bung plug installer 60 may becapable of registering, or properly aligning, the threads 39 of the bungplug 34 with the threads 33 of the bung opening 32 to ensure properalignment for threadable installation, provide improved accuracy,efficiency and effectiveness of bung plug installation operations, forany other reason(s) or a combination thereof. The threads 39, 33 may beregistered or properly aligned in any suitable manner and with anysuitable components.

In some embodiments and circumstances, it may be desirable to uninstallthe bung plug 34 from the drum 30 and try to install it again (e.g. ifthe bung plug 34 does not properly engage the bung opening 32). In suchinstances, the exemplary bung plug engagement tool 184 of the bung pluginstaller 60 is rotated in the opposite direction (e.g.counterclockwise) to unscrew the bung plug 34 from the drum 30. Thus,the bung plug installer 60 of the preferred embodiment may also be usedto uninstall (and in some cases to extract) the bung plug 34 from thedrum 30.

Referring to FIGS. 36-38 , the exemplary bung plug installer 60 mayinclude additional capabilities, such as the ability to (i) measure theamount of vertical movement of the bung plug 34 in the bung opening 32during installation, (ii) count the number of revolutions of rotation(e.g. or fractions of a revolution) of the bung plug 34 as it threadablyengages the drum 30 (when applicable), (iii) measure the amount oftorque applied to the bung plug 34 during installation (whenapplicable), any other capabilities, any variations thereof or acombination thereof. As used herein and in the appended claims the terms“bung plug insertion variables” and variations thereof mean and refer toany one or more of the above variables (variables measured in items(i)-(iii), other variables relating to installation of the bung plug 34and variations thereof). Different embodiments may include measuring anyone or more (or none) of the bung plug insertion variables, while someembodiments may not measure any bung plug insertion variables.

The bung plug insertion variable(s) may be useful, for example, toassist in preventing damage to the bung plug 34 and/or drum 30 duringinstallation of the bung plug 34 (e.g. stripping or cross-threadingthreads of the bung plug 34 and/or bung opening 32), determining when tostop rotating the bung plug 34, ensuring the bung plug 34 is properlyengaged with the drum 30 (e.g. without excessive torque applied to thebung plug 34, not inserted too deep or too shallow in the drum 30 orafter too few or too many rotations of revolution), prevent a dust-capfrom being placed on a drum 30 with a cross-threaded or damaged bungplug 34 (e.g. FIG. 38 ), satisfying regulatory criteria or qualitycontrol standards and/or reporting requirements or drum certifications(e.g. DOT, Six Sigma), identifying drums 30 that do not meet particularcriteria or standards, providing data to report any of the same, for anyother purpose(s) or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, one ormore bung plug insertion variables may be measured or determined inreal-time on a continuing or as-desired basis. Based upon themeasurement(s) taken of one or more bung plug insertion variables, theexemplary drum manipulation system 10 (e.g. controller 12) is preferablyconfigured to make one or more determinations (e.g. and initiate, orsignal for, one or more responsive actions when deemed necessary) inreal-time on an on-going basis, such as whether the torque applied tothe bung plug 34 after a particular length of downward vertical movementof the bung plug 34 and/or number of revolutions of rotation of the bungplug 34 meets or exceeds a desired torque value, the bung plug 34 hasbeen cross-threaded, other determination or a combination thereof.

Still referring to FIGS. 36-38 , if desired, the drum manipulationsystem 10 (e.g. controller 12) may be configured to provide (e.g.electronically transmit) bung plug insertion variable data (e.g. inreal-time) to an operator, with other entities, such as customers,regulatory authorities and the like and/or to any other location. Insome circumstances, for example, the controller 12 can determine if adesired torque value applied to the bung plug 34 is achieved before adesired amount of downward vertical movement of the bung plug 34 and/ornumber of revolutions of rotation of the bung plug 34. When this occurs,for example, the controller 12 may provide a default (or other) signal,initiate one or more actions to be taken (e.g. remove the drum 30 fromthe drum manipulation system 10), report pertinent data to a desireddestination or a combination thereof. For another example, thecontroller 12 may be configured to determine (e.g. based upon torque,rotations and vertical travel) if the bung plug 34 was cross-threadedwhen installed in the drum 30 and signal an operator (via screendisplay, default signal, etc.) that such drum 30 should not be furtherprocessed (e.g. have a dust cap installed) and allow the drum 30 to beremoved from the drum manipulation system 10, if desired. In thepreferred embodiment, the exemplary controller 12 should determine thatthe bung plug 34 in FIG. 38 has been secured to the drum 30 too far intothe bung opening 32 and provide a signal that this drum 30 should berejected and/or removed from the drum manipulation system 10.

Referring still to FIGS. 36-38 , any suitable configuration ofcomponents and techniques may be used to measure one or more bung pluginsertion variable(s), use such data and direct any responsive actions.For example, during threadable engagement of the bung plug 34 with thedrum 30, one or more displacement sensor(s) 378 (e.g. linear encoder380) may be configured to monitor the amount of vertical movement, depthor distance that the bung plug 34 moves into the bung opening 32 duringinstallation (e.g. on a continuing basis, in real-time), for any otherpurpose(s) or a combination thereof. For example, the displacementsensor 378 (e.g. FIGS. 45-48 ) may be coupled (e.g. via bracket 382) tothe floating plate 254 (or other component). In some embodiments, thedisplacement sensor 378 (or other component(s)) may communicate datarelating to vertical displacement measurements taken to the electroniccontroller 12 (or other component(s)) in real-time on a continuing basisfor a determination of when rotation of the bung plug 34 should bestopped and to cause such stoppage and/or for any other purpose(s).

For another example, the exemplary bung plug installer 60 may includeone or more electronic, or other form, of torque sensors, torquetransducers, torque meters or the like (e.g. one or more encoders 352inside driver 204, FIG. 35 ) to measure the amount of torque applied tothe bung plug 34 during installation (e.g. on a continuing basis, inreal-time) and/or any related variable. For still a further example, thebung plug installer 60 may include one or more electronic, or otherforms, of counters (e.g. encoder 352 of driver 204, FIG. 35 ) to countor monitor the number of revolutions of rotation of the bung plug 34(e.g. on a continuing basis, in real-time) as it is installed in thedrum 30. In the preferred embodiment, the driver 204 (e.g. servo-motor350) is capable of counting or monitoring the number of revolutions ofrotation of the bung plug 34 as it is installed in the drum 30 inreal-time on a continuing basis, the amount of torque applied to thebung plug 34 in real-time on a continuing basis during installation, oneor more variations thereof or a combination thereof. For example, theservo-motor 350 may include one or more (e.g. internal) encoders 352(FIG. 35 ) and/or other component(s) configured to monitor, measure ordetermine one or more parameters that relate to the torque applied tothe bung plug 34 and count or monitor the number of revolutions ofrotation of the bung plug 34 as it is installed in the drum 30 duringrotation thereof (e.g. on a continuing basis, in real-time). In someembodiments, this may entail the encoder 352 measuring resistance on theshaft 208 of the servo-motor 350 (e.g. FIG. 36 ), demand placed upon themotor 350, other variable(s) or a combination thereof. If desired, theencoder 352 may communicate its measurements and/or related data to theelectronic controller 12 (or other component(s)) in real-time for adetermination of when rotation of the bung plug 34 should be stopped andto cause such stoppage (e.g. when a desired torque had been applied tothe bung plug 34) and/or for any other purpose(s). In other embodiments,the driver 204 may be an air motor or one or more other componentsconfigured to assist in measuring or providing one or more bung pluginsertion variables.

When one or more bung plug insertion variable(s) or variations thereoffails to satisfy a desired value, the exemplary controller 12 (or othercomponent(s)) may be configured to direct one or more responsiveactions, such as reporting a fault event, providing a fault signal,initiating an alarm, rejecting or tagging the drum 30, directing thebung plug installer 60 to uninstall or remove the bung plug 34, ceasingoperation of the bung plug installer 60, drum manipulation system 10 orone or more components thereof, other action(s) or a combinationthereof. In the preferred embodiment, for example, if the torque appliedto the bung plug 34 exceeds a particular value (or range) prior to theoccurrence of a particular number of revolutions of rotation of, oramount of downward vertical displacement, of the bung plug 34, thecontroller 12 may be configured to unscrew bung plug 34 and repeat theinstallation process as described above up to two (or fewer or more)additional times before rejecting the drum 30. For another example, ifthe torque applied to the bung plug 34 exceeds a particular value (orrange) after the occurrence of a particular number of revolutions ofrotation of, or amount of downward vertical displacement, the controller12 may be configured to stop rotation of the bung plug 34 and identifyor reject the drum 30 for removal from the drum manipulation system 10(e.g. because the bung plug 34 is damaged or something else is wrong).

Referring now to FIGS. 1A & 39 , in the preferred embodiment, after thebung plug 34 is secured to the drum 30 (or earlier as desired), theexemplary bung plug engagement tool 184 of the bung plug installer 60may be disengaged from the bung plug 34 and the bung plug installer 60shuttled, or moved, away from the drum 30, such as described above. Forexample, the bung plug installer 60 may be shuttled back to its homeposition or an intermediate position (e.g. to make room for the dust capcrimper 98 to crimp a dust cap over the bung plug 34). In embodimentsinvolving the use of suction to engage the bung plug 34, the vacuum maybe turned off or suction otherwise released (and air pressure reversed,if desired) at any desired time during or after the bung plug 34 isengaged with the drum 30.

Preferred embodiments of the present disclosure thus offer advantagesover the prior art and are well adapted to carry out one or more of theobjects of this disclosure. However, the present invention does notrequire each of the components and acts described above and is in no waylimited to the above-described embodiments or methods of operation. Anyone or more of the above components, features and processes may beemployed in any suitable configuration without inclusion of other suchcomponents, features and processes. Moreover, the present inventionincludes additional features, capabilities, functions, methods, uses andapplications that have not been specifically addressed herein but are,or will become, apparent from the description herein, the appendeddrawings and/or claims.

The methods described above or claimed herein and any other methodswhich may fall within the scope of the appended claims can be performedin any desired or suitable order and are not necessarily limited to anysequence described herein or as may be listed in the appended claims.Further, the methods of the present disclosure do not necessarilyrequire use of the particular embodiments shown and described herein,but are equally applicable with any other suitable structure, form andconfiguration of components.

While exemplary embodiments have been shown and described, manyvariations, modifications and/or changes of the system, apparatus andmethods of the present disclosure, such as in the components, details ofconstruction and operation, arrangement of parts and/or methods of use,are possible, contemplated by the patent applicant(s) hereof, within thescope of any appended claims, and may be made and used by one ofordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit, teachingsand scope of this disclosure and any appended claims. Thus, all matterherein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings should beinterpreted as illustrative, and the scope of the disclosure and anyappended claims should not be limited to the embodiments described andshown herein.

The invention claimed is:
 1. Apparatus for extracting a bung plug from and installing a bung plug into a container, the container having a bung opening formed in and facing upwardly from at least one surface thereof, the bung opening configured to contain the bung plug therein, the apparatus comprising: a carrier selectively movable up and down relative to the container; a bung plug engagement tool carried by the carrier and including at least one shaft having upper and lower ends and a bung plug wrench disposed at or proximate to the lower end of the at least one shaft; a centering collar carried by the carrier, wherein the bung plug wrench and centering collar are both biased downwardly relative to the carrier and container and the bung plug wrench is additionally biased downwardly relative to the centering collar, carrier and container during use of the apparatus; at least two spaced-apart outer springs positioned radially outwardly of the at least one shaft of the bung plug engagement tool, respectively, and which provide downward biasing forces upon the centering collar and bung plug wrench relative to the carrier and container; at least two spaced-apart inner springs, separate and distinct from the outer springs, also positioned radially outwardly of the at least one shaft, respectively, and which provide downward biasing forces upon the bung plug wrench relative to the centering collar, carrier and container.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the centering collar engages the at least one surface of the container during bung plug installation and extraction, further wherein the downward biasing forces of each outer spring are greater than the downward biasing forces of each inner spring.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the container has a vertical axis that extends through the center of the bung opening, further wherein the carrier has a vertical axis, the centering collar engages the container during bung plug installation and extraction and the outer springs allow the centering collar and bung plug wrench to concurrently tilt in any direction around 360° relative to the vertical axis of the carrier and automatically align in the vertical axis of the container during bung plug installation and extraction.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein each spring comprises a resilient member.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein each spring comprises an elastic member.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein each spring comprises a coil spring.
 7. Apparatus for extracting a bung plug from and installing a bung plug into a container, the container having a bung opening formed in at least one surface thereof, the bung opening configured to contain the bung plug therein, the apparatus comprising: a carrier selectively movable up and down relative to the container; a bung plug engagement tool carried by the carrier and including at least one shaft having upper and lower ends and a bung plug wrench disposed at or proximate to the lower end of the at least one shaft; a centering collar carried by the carrier, wherein the bung plug wrench and centering collar are both biased downwardly relative to the carrier and container and the bung plug wrench is additionally biased downwardly relative to the centering collar, carrier and container during use of the apparatus; and at least two spaced-apart inner springs that provide downward biasing forces upon the bung plug wrench relative to the centering collar, carrier and container.
 8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the inner springs are configured to assist in maintaining engagement of the bung plug wrench with the bung plug as desired during bung plug installation and extraction.
 9. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein each spring comprises a non-resilient member.
 10. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein each spring comprises a swivel joint.
 11. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein each spring comprises at least one bearing.
 12. Method of engaging a bung plug extractor/installer with a bung plug that is releasably secured to a container, the container having a bung opening formed in and facing upwardly from at least one surface thereof, the bung opening configured to contain the bung plug therein, the method comprising: selectively moving a carrier of the bung plug extractor/installer over the bung opening and bung plug contained therein, the carrier carrying a centering collar and bung plug engagement tool, the bung plug engagement tool including at least one shaft and at least one bung plug wrench; at least first and second spaced-apart springs positioned radially outwardly of at least one shaft of the bung plug engagement tool assisting in biasing the centering collar downwardly into contact with at least one surface of the container around the bung opening and biasing at least one bung plug wrench downwardly into contact with the bung plug; and at least third and fourth spaced-apart springs separately downwardly biasing the at least one bung plug wrench relative to the centering collar, carrier and container.
 13. The method of claim 12 further comprising actuating the bung plug wrench to disconnect the bung plug from the container, providing suction pressure in at least one passageway formed in at least part of the at least one shaft of the bung plug engagement tool to retain the bung plug in contact with the bung plug wrench, selectively moving the carrier and bung plug carried thereby away from the bung opening of the container, selectively moving the carrier and bung plug carried thereby over the bung opening, a centering assembly carried by the carrier aligning the bung plug with the bung opening, biasing the centering collar into contact with at least one surface of the container around the bung opening and biasing the bung plug onto the bung opening, releasing suction pressure in the at least one passageway, and securing the bung plug in the bung opening.
 14. Apparatus for extracting a cap from a fill hole of a container with the use of at least one vacuum source that provides suction pressure, the fill hole formed in at least one surface of the container, the apparatus comprising: a carrier selectively movable up and down relative to the container; a cap engagement tool carried by the carrier and selectively at least partially engageable with the cap, wherein when the cap engagement tool engages the cap, at least one space is formed between at least part of the cap engagement tool and the cap; a centering collar carried by the carrier and being positioned at least partially radially outwardly of at least part of the cap engagement tool; a first plurality of spaced-apart biasing members positioned radially outwardly of at least part of the cap engagement tool and which provide downward biasing forces upon the centering collar and at least part of the cap engagement tool relative to the carrier and container; a second plurality of spaced-apart biasing members which are separate and distinct from the first plurality of spaced-apart biasing members and provide downward biasing forces upon at least part of the cap engagement tool relative to the centering collar, carrier and container; and at least one passageway fluidly coupling the at least one space and the vacuum source and which allows suction pressure to be selectively provided to the at least one space to retain the cap with the cap engagement tool after the cap is extracted from the container.
 15. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the cap engagement tool includes at least one shaft having upper and lower ends and a cap extraction wrench disposed at or proximate to the lower end thereof, further wherein the at least one fluid passageway extends at least partially through the at least one shaft and cap extraction wrench.
 16. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the first plurality of spaced-apart biasing members includes three spaced-apart biasing members.
 17. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the first plurality of spaced-apart biasing members includes three spaced-apart biasing members and the second plurality of spaced-apart biasing members includes three spaced-apart biasing members.
 18. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein each biasing member includes at least one among at least one coil spring, resilient member, non-resilient member, swivel and bearing.
 19. Apparatus for extracting a cap from a fill hole of a container with the use of at least one vacuum source that provides suction pressure, the fill hole formed in at least one surface of the container, the apparatus comprising: a carrier selectively movable up and down relative to the container; a cap engagement tool carried by the carrier and selectively at least partially engageable with the cap, wherein when the cap engagement tool engages the cap, at least one space is formed between at least part of the cap engagement tool and the cap; a centering collar carried by the carrier and being positioned at least partially radially outwardly of at least part of the cap engagement tool; a first plurality of spaced-apart biasing members that provide downward biasing forces upon at least part of the cap engagement tool relative to the centering collar, carrier and container; and at least one passageway fluidly coupling the at least one space and the vacuum source and which allows suction pressure to be selectively provided to the at least one space to retain the cap with the cap engagement tool after the cap is extracted from the container.
 20. The apparatus of claim 19 further including a second plurality of spaced-apart biasing members which are separate and distinct from the first plurality of spaced-apart biasing members and provide downward biasing forces upon the centering collar relative to the carrier and container.
 21. The apparatus of claim 20 wherein the downward biasing forces of each of the second plurality of biasing members is greater than the downward biasing forces of each of the first plurality of biasing members.
 22. The apparatus of claim 19 wherein each biasing member includes at least one among at least one coil spring, resilient member, non-resilient member, swivel and bearing. 